Research was published this week in the journal The Physician and Sports Medicine reviewing the safety of strangulation techniques in MMA. In the paper, titled The vascular neck restraint of mixed martial arts, the authors reviewed all published medical literature to date on the topic. 25 papers in total were reviewed. In short the authors … More Study – Strangulation in MMA has an “Acceptable Safety Profile”

Male boxers suffer KO/TKO stoppages 1.6 times more than their female counterparts. However, when adjusting the bouts for minutes boxed, their KO and TKO rates are almost identical. These findings were revealed in a study published this week in the journal Neurology. In the study, titled Gender Differences of Concussions in Professional Boxing, the authors … More Study – Male and Female Boxers Suffer Almost Identical Concussion Rates

That’s a scary quote that should be a wake up call to every professional boxer in the United States. In short the Ali Act gives professional boxers protection from exploitative contracts, lets them open the books on promoter revenues, keeps a firewall between managers and promoters and prohibits promoters from monopolizing titles so elite fighters … More “UFC/TKO is requesting an amendment change to the Ali Act”

Many jurisdictions require fighters to complete a pre bout medical questionnaire prior to competing in combat sports. Often these questionnaires are filled out under penalty of perjury. Nevada is one such jurisdiction. Fighters often lie on these forms as injuries are rampant and disclosure could derail a bout and payday. Despite frequent lies there are … More Nevada Hands Out Suspensions in Aftermath of MMA “Insider” Betting Scandal

This week the Association of Ringside Physicians published a position statement on young fighters. Titled Physiological and Medical Considerations for the Younger Combat Athlete, the authors reviewed hundreds of peer reviewed sources and made several recommendations. Among the most notable recommendations were the banning of weight cutting for athletes under 19, banning head contact in … More Ringside Doctors Call For Weight Cut and Sparring Reforms For Young Fighters

The combat sports community, one where brain health knowledge is crucial given the inherent risks of the sports, lacks adequate awareness according to several studies. The latest study exploring this topic was published this month focussing on youth karate athletes. In the study, titled Concussion history and knowledge among top-level youth karate athletes, the authors … More Study – Significant Concussion Ignorance Among Youth Karate Athletes

This study is a few years old but came to my attention today when I was reading this recent article arguing that children under 15 should not be allowed to compete in full contact Muay Thai. In the article the authors cited a 2018 study of brain trauma in children who participate in Muay Thai. … More Study – IQ Progressively Decreases in Children With Each Year of Muay Thai

Harm and even deaths from rapid extreme weight cutting in MMA are well documented. Despite this the practice remains prevalent with athletes hoping to gain any competitive advantage they can. This month a study was published suggesting athletes who regain more weigh do not get any statistically significant competitive advantage. In the study, titled The … More Study – MMA Athletes Who Regain More Weight Do Not Get Competitive Advantage

How common is doping in combat sports? Far too prevalent and laxly enforced according to an article just published in the journal of The Physician and Sports Medicine. In the article, titled Doping in Combat Sports: a systematic review, the authors reviewed all available English language published articles on the topic to review the prevalence … More Study – “Unsettling” Levels of Doping in Combat Sports

From time to time the Association of Ringside Physicians (“ARP”) publish position statements on crucial health and safety issues in combative sports. Their latest position statement covers all things eye health from pre fight examinations, disqualifying medical conditions and post bout care. In addition to this the statement calls for use of curved MMA gloves. … More Fight Doctors Call for “Curved-Finger MMA Glove Design” to Reduce Eyepokes