Study – White Matter Signal Abnormalities in Brain “Significantly Greater” In MMA Fighters With Football or Rugby History

July 20, 2024

An interesting study was published this week in the peer reviewed journal The Physician and Sports Medicine looking at white matter signal abnormalities in a group of professional fighters. White matter signal abnormalities are associated with traumatic brain injury. Previous research of MMA athletes did not find greater white matter abnormalities in them compared to … More Study – White Matter Signal Abnormalities in Brain “Significantly Greater” In MMA Fighters With Football or Rugby History

Another Study Showing Relative Safety of Strangulation in BJJ

July 16, 2024

There are a growing number of studies showing it is relatively safe to be strangled in the sporting context of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. This week another study was published on this topic looking specifically into whether participant showed measurable cognitive decline after a strangulation submission vs a non strangulation submission. The short answer was they … More Another Study Showing Relative Safety of Strangulation in BJJ

Study – Some Headgear Substantially Increases Rotational Acceleration To Its Users

July 6, 2024

Headgear does little to protect users from brain injury. According to the Association of Ringside Physicians “Headguards should not be relied upon to reduce the risk of concussion or other traumatic brain injury. They have not been shown to prevent these types of injuries in combat sports or other sports” Adding to this conclusion a study … More Study – Some Headgear Substantially Increases Rotational Acceleration To Its Users

Ringside Doctors – Don’t Fight High But Cannabis Drug Testing Also Divorced From Reality

July 5, 2024

Earlier this year the Association of Ringside Physicians released a position statement on cannabis in combat sports. This week the position was published in the peer reviewed journal The Physician and Sports Medicine. In short the doctors say that fighters should not compete while high. After the fact drug testing does nothing to address this … More Ringside Doctors – Don’t Fight High But Cannabis Drug Testing Also Divorced From Reality

Study – Serial Strangulation in Sport Does Not Lead to Increased Stroke Risk

June 13, 2024

How safe is it to be strangled hundreds of times in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or other submission grappling arts? The latest research addressing this subject has just been published. Dr. Samuel J. Stellpflug, a US based physician and one of the world’s leading researchers of the medical consequences of serial strangulation in sport has authored … More Study – Serial Strangulation in Sport Does Not Lead to Increased Stroke Risk

Ringside Doctors Publish Position Statement on Cannabis in Combat Sports

June 6, 2024

Today the Association of Ringside Physicians published a position statement on the use of cannabis in combat sports. (disclosure, I co-authored the paper contributing to the section discussion regulatory issues surrounding cannabis). In short the ringside doctors note that medical literature supports more potential harm from short term and long term cannabis use than benefits. … More Ringside Doctors Publish Position Statement on Cannabis in Combat Sports

Ringside Doctors Publish Peer Reviewed Position on Licencing Older Fighters

May 9, 2024

Last year the Association of Ringside Physicians published their consensus statement on medically clearing older fighters to compete. This week their position was published in the peer reviewed journal The Physician and Sports Medicine. The paper is titled Care of The Older Fighter: Position Statement of the Association of Ringside Physicians. The abstract, along with … More Ringside Doctors Publish Peer Reviewed Position on Licencing Older Fighters

Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul Approved as Pro Fight (sort of)

April 29, 2024

Today Mike Tyson tweeted that his bout with Jake Paul will be a ‘real fight’. I confirmed with the Texas Department of Licencing and Regulation that is has been sanctioned as a professional fight instead of an exhibition. They have, however, modified the rules. The Commission has replied as follows: Hi Erik, We opted to … More Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul Approved as Pro Fight (sort of)

Some Questions Following Ardi Ndembo’s Boxing Death

April 28, 2024

Update May 14, 2024 – Team Combat League have yet to reply to my request for a statement. Today the Florida Athletic Commission did respond with the below troubling reply. One that suggests that if a licensee is aware a competitor was knocked out in training and did not disclose this to them they are … More Some Questions Following Ardi Ndembo’s Boxing Death

Heavyweight Boxer Ardi Ndembo Dies Following Brain Injury in Team Combat League Event

April 26, 2024

Team Combat League is a relatively new venture where boxers compete in teams. The teams face each other with boxers fighting in one round bouts. Some are scheduled to have more than one such bout in a single day. Today it is reported that Heavyweight Ardi Ndembo died after suffering a knockout loss in a … More Heavyweight Boxer Ardi Ndembo Dies Following Brain Injury in Team Combat League Event