The connection between combat sports and long term brain trauma is real. Study after study demonstrate this. Recent research conducted a scoping review of available literature and highlighted this connection. In short the research found that combat sports such as MMA, boxing and kickboxing left many athletes with “lasting neuropsychological impairment” such as long term issues with executive function, processing speed, memory and inhibitory control.
Athletes that started at a younger age and those who had greater cumulative expsore to head impacts over their carer were more at risk with worse outcomes. Structural brain damage was also linked with these sports. The researches concluded that
“current evidence suggests an association between repetitive head trauma and lasting neuropsychological
impairment“
The full paper is titled “Neuropsychological Health in Mixed Martial Arts Fighters and Combat Sports Athletes: A Scoping Review” and is available for free on line here.
Below is the full abstract:
Despite safety modifications in mixed martial arts (MMA), traumatic brain injuries remain a significant
concern across combat sports due to repetitive head impacts sustained during training and competition.
While acute physical effects are well described, long-term cognitive, structural, and psychological
consequences of repetitive head trauma in MMA, boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, and other combat sports
remain understudied. This scoping review aimed to map the existing literature evaluating these
consequences in combat sport athletes. A structured search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science was
conducted in January 2026 for studies published between 2020 and 2025. Eligible studies reported
neurocognitive, psychological, structural, or biomarker-related outcomes in athletes exposed to repetitive
head trauma. Screening was performed by one reviewer, with final studies reviewed by a second investigator
for accuracy and consistency. Consistent with scoping review methodology, no formal critical appraisal was
conducted, as the aim was to map the breadth of available evidence rather than evaluate methodological
rigor. Twelve studies were included. Executive functions, including processing speed, memory, and
inhibitory control, were the most consistently impaired domains. Earlier age of first exposure and greater
cumulative head impacts were associated with worse outcomes. Structural alterations, including reduced
thalamic and hippocampal volume, and increased depressive symptoms were also reported. Overall, current
evidence suggests an association between repetitive head trauma and lasting neuropsychological
impairment, highlighting the need for improved monitoring and future longitudinal research.
Combat Sports Law 