This weekend previously undefeated Australian featherweight boxer Braydon Smith died following a 10 round decision loss to John Vincent Moralde.  Death is no stranger to boxing with the risks being well documented.  Following combat sports deaths this is how the media conversation typically goes – 1. Stories of the fatality break with the usual sympathies … More Boxing Death Brings the Usual Questions Instead of the Important One

A recurring theme at this website is pointing out the real dangers that come with Rapid Extreme Weight Cut practices in MMA. Documented harm has become so common that my list of injuries from Rapid Extreme Weight Cut practices has to be amended on a far too frequent basis. Kirik Jenness, owner of MixedMartialArts.com and … More The Solution For Dangerous Rapid Extreme Weight Cuts in Combat Sports

Contrary to popular belief, most deaths in combat sports occur in lower weight classes as opposed to the heavier hitting classes.  One of the likely contributors is the brain dehydration that comes with rapid extreme weight cut practices associated with combatants making weight. A tragic recent death in amateur kickboxing occurred earlier this year in … More Weight Cutting Rears its Head in Another Combat Sports Death

The UFC’s Matt Brown failed to make weight today ahead of UFC on Fox 12.  He weighed in at 172.5 pounds, 1.5 pounds above the welterweight limit.  Under California rules Brown was allowed a further hour to try and shed the weight, however, due to a reported ‘miscommunication’ this did not happen.  The details of … More CSAC Reportedly Ignores Physician Advice During Rapid Extreme Weight Cut

As previously discussed, rapid extreme weight cut practices are a largely unregulated part of combat sports.  These practices come with inherent dangers.  To date, State and Provincial Athletic Commissions  have been largely content to turn a blind eye to this problem with few regulated thresholds addressing these practices. Recently TopMMANews documented two further examples of … More More Rapid Extreme Weight Loss Dangers Documented in MMA

Alongside issues arising from Concussion Mismanagement and PED Abuse, Rapid Extreme Weight Cutting practices are a tragedy waiting to happen in MMA.  Today, a teachable moment arose at the UFC 171 weigh ins that regrettably was overlooked. Welterweight title contender Johny Hendricks failed to make weight on his first attempt.  Not only did he fall … More When Making Weight Does Not Cut It in Combat Sports