Study – MMA Fighter Brain Volume Not Decreased Based on Self Reported Sparring Frequency

Adding to this site’s combat sports safety study summaries, a recent study was published in the Journal of Sports Medicine reviewing MMA fighter brain volume measurements and their association with sparring frequency. In the article, titled Sparring and the Brain: The Associations between Sparring and Regional Brain Volumes in Professional Mixed Martial Arts Fighters, the … More Study – MMA Fighter Brain Volume Not Decreased Based on Self Reported Sparring Frequency

Jiu Jitsu Club Ordered to Pay Paralyzed Student $46 Million in Damages For Negligence

I’ve spent a lot of time on this site discussing the standard of care of combat sports coaches and the possibility of negligence lawsuits.  This week headlines broke illustrating such concerns are not merely academic.  A California based brazilian jiu jitsu club was ordered to pay substantial damages to an injured student following jury findings of … More Jiu Jitsu Club Ordered to Pay Paralyzed Student $46 Million in Damages For Negligence

Texas Appears Indifferent to Neglectful MMA Bout Stoppage

In the near 30 year history of modern Mixed Martial Arts last night may have given the sport the most neglectful late stoppage involving a grappling exchange. The headlining bout for Fury FC 76 ended in submission via armbar. It took place in San Antonio, Texas. Gianni Vasquez was strangled unconscious in a triangle. The referee … More Texas Appears Indifferent to Neglectful MMA Bout Stoppage

Conor McGregor UFC Return and USADA Anti-Doping Waivers

This week Conor McGregor confirmed he is not in USADA’s anti-doping testing pool but that he is in constant communication with USADA and all he has to do is provide two negative samples and he is cleared to return. USADA replied noting they have no meeting scheduled with Conor and generally returning athletes must be … More Conor McGregor UFC Return and USADA Anti-Doping Waivers

Do Years Of Heartbeat “Pulse Trauma” Explain Delayed Onset of CTE Symptoms?

An interesting article was published this month in Frontiers of Neuroscience exploring the possible connection between the delayed (and progressive) symptoms of CTE and micro trauma from the normal beating of the heart. There is ample evidence that CTE is caused by repeated brain trauma from external forces (think repeated hits in combat or contact … More Do Years Of Heartbeat “Pulse Trauma” Explain Delayed Onset of CTE Symptoms?

Study – Fighters Take “Statistically Significant” More Head Shots When Wearing Headgear

Headgear does not prevent concussions or other brain injuries. Nor does it stop the progressive disease CTE which is linked to repeated concussive and sub concussive impacts. Despite this many athletes don’t understand the limitations of headgear. Because of this some observe that athletes take more hits to the head with headgear on. A recent … More Study – Fighters Take “Statistically Significant” More Head Shots When Wearing Headgear

Headgear Manufacturers Would Be Wise To Have Concussion Warnings

Update February 28, 2023 – After writing this article I decided to conduct a quick poll to inquire about people’s knowledge about headgear when they first sparred. Although Twitter polls are not scientific this poll largely mirrors my discussion with many combat sports practitioners. The majority mis-understand the safety benefits of headgear. And many wrongly … More Headgear Manufacturers Would Be Wise To Have Concussion Warnings

Liberal New Mexico Greasing Rules And the Diego Sanchez Bare Knuckle Boxing Appeal

Today MMAFighting reports that Diego Sanchez is filing a formal appeal with the New Mexico Athletic Commission seeking to overturn the result in his recent loss to Austin Trout in BKFC over allegations of greasing. As with all combat sports appeals the laws of the jurisdiction in question need to be scrutinized and here New … More Liberal New Mexico Greasing Rules And the Diego Sanchez Bare Knuckle Boxing Appeal

WBC Brushes Off Conor Benn Clomiphene Charge Due to “highly-elevated consumption of eggs”

Today the WBC Board of Governors released a ruling disposing of a doping charge against Conor Benn, The WBC partner with the Voluntary Anti Doping Association who conduct testing of ranked boxers with the WBC. Benn provided a sample that tested positive for Clomiphene. A substance banned at all times under the program. Benn provided … More WBC Brushes Off Conor Benn Clomiphene Charge Due to “highly-elevated consumption of eggs”

US Congress Members Blast PowerSlap As Brain Trauma Masquerading as Sport

Dana White and those behind his slap fighting venture “PowerSlap” boast about the show’s early success mimicking the early days of the UFC. One of the early stories of the UFC was the sport getting the attention of federal politicians and getting relegated what the owners now refer to as the ‘dark ages’. A chapter … More US Congress Members Blast PowerSlap As Brain Trauma Masquerading as Sport