Literature Review – Sport Strangulations “have not demonstrated a consistent link with CTE”

What’s safer? Being knocked unconscious or being strangled to a point of unconsciousness? In a sport setting the answer seems to be the latter with strangulation submission techniques not (from research to date) appearing to be linked to the brain disease CTE. A recent literature review was recently published briefly discussing this. The paper, titled … More Literature Review – Sport Strangulations “have not demonstrated a consistent link with CTE”

Study – MMA and “Lasting Neuropsychological Impairment”

The connection between combat sports and long term brain trauma is real. Study after study demonstrate this. Recent research conducted a scoping review of available literature and highlighted this connection. In short the research found that combat sports such as MMA, boxing and kickboxing left many athletes with “lasting neuropsychological impairment” such as long term … More Study – MMA and “Lasting Neuropsychological Impairment”

Study – MMA Athletes Who Regain More Weight Do Not Get Competitive Advantage

Harm and even deaths from rapid extreme weight cutting in MMA are well documented. Despite this the practice remains prevalent with athletes hoping to gain any competitive advantage they can. This month a study was published suggesting athletes who regain more weigh do not get any statistically significant competitive advantage. In the study, titled The … More Study – MMA Athletes Who Regain More Weight Do Not Get Competitive Advantage

Study – “Unsettling” Levels of Doping in Combat Sports

How common is doping in combat sports? Far too prevalent and laxly enforced according to an article just published in the journal of The Physician and Sports Medicine. In the article, titled Doping in Combat Sports: a systematic review, the authors reviewed all available English language published articles on the topic to review the prevalence … More Study – “Unsettling” Levels of Doping in Combat Sports

Fight Doctors Call for “Curved-Finger MMA Glove Design” to Reduce Eyepokes

From time to time the Association of Ringside Physicians (“ARP”) publish position statements on crucial health and safety issues in combative sports. Their latest position statement covers all things eye health from pre fight examinations, disqualifying medical conditions and post bout care. In addition to this the statement calls for use of curved MMA gloves. … More Fight Doctors Call for “Curved-Finger MMA Glove Design” to Reduce Eyepokes

Judge Recommends Alberta Scrap City Athletic Commissions and Move to Province Wide Model

Alberta is a total outlier when it comes to combat sports regulation. Throughout all of CAnada and the US combat sports are overseen by Provincial, State or Tribal commissions. Alberta, however, does not have a provincial commission and instead allows municipalities to oversee these sports. In 2017 former UFC athlete Tim Hague died following a … More Judge Recommends Alberta Scrap City Athletic Commissions and Move to Province Wide Model

Study – Muay Thai Fighters Who Cut/Gain More Weight Have Advantage

A recent study was published tracking weight cuts / weight gains for Muay Thai athletes to see if there was any relationship with weight cutting and winning. In short there was. In the study, titled Rapid Weight Changes and Competitive Outcomes in Muay Thai and Mixed Martial Arts: A 14-Month Study of 24 Combat Sports … More Study – Muay Thai Fighters Who Cut/Gain More Weight Have Advantage

New Settlement Proposed For UFC Antitrust Lawsuit

Today it was revealed that a new deal was reached in one of the antitrust lawsuits against the UFC. In an SEC filing the following was revealed: As previously disclosed, TKO Operating Company, LLC (f/k/a Zuffa Parent, LLC) (“TKO OpCo”), a subsidiary of TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”), and/or certain of its affiliates, including … More New Settlement Proposed For UFC Antitrust Lawsuit

Study Calls For Better Brain Health Education for MMA Athletes and Coaches

One fairly consistent theme in research about brain injury in MMA is the need for better education about brain health basics in the community. This month another study was published calling for such steps to be taken. In the recent study, titled “Assessing the Incidence of Head Trauma in Australian Mixed Martial Arts: A Retrospective … More Study Calls For Better Brain Health Education for MMA Athletes and Coaches