Ringside Doctors Discuss Mouthguards and Concussion Reduction in Combat Sports

November 13, 2021

The Association of Ringside Physicians (“ARP”) recently published a position statement about the use of mouthguards in combat sports. They noted their view that “mouth guards should be used in all high- and intermediate-risk sports, including contact and combat sports, to aid in the prevention of orofacial trauma“. In terms of the type of mouth … More Ringside Doctors Discuss Mouthguards and Concussion Reduction in Combat Sports

Soccer Referee Union Ruling Has Valuable Lessons for UFC Fighters Considering Organizing

October 26, 2021

A recent decision of interest was published earlier this month by the US National Labor Relations Board. It involved soccer referees but has valuable lessons for UFC fighters as well. In the recent case the Professional Soccer Referees Association petitioned to represent certain lower league officials, basically those from feeder leagues, into Major League Soccer. … More Soccer Referee Union Ruling Has Valuable Lessons for UFC Fighters Considering Organizing

Paper Calls Out “Consensus” Statements on Concussion in Sport as Being Biased and Lacking Candour

October 20, 2021

Little argument can be had that combat sports and collision sports bring risk to participants. Leaving aside short term acute injury the most sinister of which is long term brain health harm from concussions, post concussive symptoms and CTE. One theme readers of this site will be familiar with is informed consent. I routinely discuss … More Paper Calls Out “Consensus” Statements on Concussion in Sport as Being Biased and Lacking Candour

Colorado Approves Open Scoring in Combat Sports

October 12, 2021

In recent years the Kansas Athletic Commission took the lead and approved open scoring in combat sports. Following this they compiled data dispelling many myths raised by opponents of the transparent system. Today the Colorado Office of Combative Sports passed a policy proposal bringing open scoring to the State. I reached out to Tony Cummings, … More Colorado Approves Open Scoring in Combat Sports

Bare Knuckle Boxing Has First Reported Death in the Sport’s Regulated Era

October 4, 2021

Update October 5, 2021 – Today the ABC Medical Committee released the below critical comments on the quality of regulation in BKB in the United States ABC MEDICAL COMMITTEE Statement Regarding BARE KNUCKLE BOXING DEATHUncasville, CT – Bare Knuckle Boxing (BKB) has been gaining in popularity across parts of the United States. Since 2018, early … More Bare Knuckle Boxing Has First Reported Death in the Sport’s Regulated Era

Another UFC Fighter Misses Weight Looking Ill on the Scales. Will Regulators Act?

October 1, 2021

In 2014 I started keeping a list of fighters that were injured (and even died) from rapid extreme weight cuts. In 2016 I stood up before the entire ABC convention in Las Vegas and read North American regulators the list so they cannot feign ignorance. Nothing has changed. In 2019 UFC fighter Aspen Ladd struggled … More Another UFC Fighter Misses Weight Looking Ill on the Scales. Will Regulators Act?

Study – Olympic Combat Sports Athletes Have Increased Risk of Neurodegenerative Death

September 28, 2021

Olympic athletes typically live 5 years longer than the general population. However, Olympians involved in combat sports do not enjoy this advantage and have increased risk of neurodegenerative death when contrasted with other olympic athletes and the general population according to a recent study. In the study, titled Heads-Up: Risk-Specific Neurodegenerative Mortality and Years-Saved Analysis … More Study – Olympic Combat Sports Athletes Have Increased Risk of Neurodegenerative Death

Appeal Breathes New Life Into Mark Hunt UFC Doping Lawsuit

September 26, 2021

As first reported by Conduct Detrimental, Mark Hunt’s appeal in his doping lawsuit against the UFC has been revived. By way of background Mark Hunt fought and lost to Brock Lesnar in 2017. Prior to the bout the UFC waived their normal doping protocols for Lesnar as an athlete (re)joining the promotion. After the bout … More Appeal Breathes New Life Into Mark Hunt UFC Doping Lawsuit

Study – Amateur Boxers Twice As Likely To Have Cognitive Impairment

September 20, 2021

Adding to this site’s archives of combat sports safety studies, a study was recently published in the Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine finding that “amateur boxing when younger was associated with a 2-fold increase in cognitive impairment“. In the study, titled Amateur Boxing and Dementia, the authors followed a group of 1,123 adult men whose health … More Study – Amateur Boxers Twice As Likely To Have Cognitive Impairment