Over the past year I’ve been volunteering with the charitable organization Fighting Foundation and one of our goals is bringing better concussion and CTE education to combat sports. A key reason being data showing that better educated fighters get less CTE. I am very proud to announce (thanks largely to the tireless advocacy of Fighting … More Nevada Athletic Commission Adds CTE and Concussion Information to their Website

While there is no fool proof way of tracking brain injury rates in combat sports, bouts that end via KO/TKO by head shot are one objective (though under reporting) measuring stick. Using this measure Powerslap brain injury rates are through the roof. Powerslap is not a sport. Defence is not allowed. Competitors must expose themselves … More Powerslap Brain Injury Rates Are Through The Roof

Today Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship issued a press release noting a partnership with King-Devick Technologies in association with the Mayo Clinic. In short noting they will have sideline concussion protocol testing for all competitors prior to and following their bouts at their next card. The press release, in part, noted the following: Philadelphia, PA (February … More BKFC Announces New Sideline Concussion Protocols

MMA was built on taking contractual advantage of fighters not having certain protections that professional boxers enjoy via the Ali Act or that unionized athletes have through collective bargaining. Its not just promoters who get to exploit lack of legal protection, managers also have this ability. This week a tweet made the rounds showing just … More Should MMA Managers Be Better Regulated?

After ongoing advocacy through our charitable organization Fighting Foundation I am very proud to announce that this week Ontario’s Athletics Commissioner became the latest regulator to share concussion, CTE and other vital brain health information with fighters. Ontario is Canada’s biggest jurisdiction and the Commission just enjoyed their busiest year of regulation since 1950 overseeing 29 … More Thank you Ontario Athletic Commission For Sharing Brain Health Information With Your Fighters!

Following British Columbia’s lead, last month the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Department of Athletic Regulation became the first Tribal athletic commission in North America to team up with the charitable organization Fighting Foundation to help spread brain health knowledge awareness in combat sports. The commission unanimously voted to use and distribute the CTE and … More Thank you Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Department of Athletic Regulation!

These past few weeks have been ugly in the world of combat sports. UFC president Dana White slapped his wife in the head. Twice. On video. His only explanation was extraordinary drunkenness. The Ultimate Fighter 1 and UFC veteran Stephan Bonnar died of yet unconfirmed causes. He was only in his mid 40’s. With reports … More Let’s Talk Domestic Violence, Combat Sports and CTE

The Ali Expansion Act is an effort to introduce the protections the Ali Act gives to professional boxers to other pro combat sports athletes. In 2016 then congressman Markwayne Mullin introduced the legislation. It died on the vine in the Trump administration. Mullin is now a Senator and, according to retired UFC Veteran and Mixed … More Ali Expansion Act Reportedly Coming Back in 2023

Extreme dehydration followed by rapid weight gain are common in combat sports. Many well documented injuries and even deaths are linked to these practices. But they persist because athletes believe they have a competitive advantage if they outweigh their opponents by the time of competition. A recent study revealed that these beliefs are supported. In … More Study – Fighters Who Regain More Weight Post Weigh in Enjoy More Success