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
In the latest brain health safety study research was recently published in The Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation noting that various speech patterns could be used as an “effective” tool for screening combat sports athletes who are likely struggling with cognitive decline due to repeated brain trauma. In the study, titled Articulation Rate, Pauses, and … More Study – Speech Patterns Could Be Good Marker For Cognitive Decline in Combat Sports Athletes
In the latest research diving into long term consequences of serial head injury a study was published in the Journal of Neurotrauma finding that “Three or more mTBI associated with significant cognitive deficits“. In the study, titled “Lifetime Traumatic Brain Injury and Cognitive Domain Deficits in Late Life: The PROTECT-TBI Cohort Study” the authors had … More Study – 3 Or More Concussions Linked With “Significant Cognitive Deficits” Later in Life
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?
Adding to this site’s data base of safety research summaries, a recent study was published in Research in Sports Medicine finding brain injury severity was worse in individual sports vs teams sports suggesting better brain health education is needed. In the study, titled Traumatic brain injuries in paediatric patients: individual vs team sports-related hospitalizations, the … More Study Calls For More Brain Health Education in Youth Individual Sports
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
Combat Sports Law 