More Brain Injuries With Mixed Martial Arts

Beware of mixed martial arts (MMA) fighting! A study by researchers at the University of Toronto finds that MMA fighters are at a higher risk for brain injuries than are boxers or any other martial arts fighters. The study also found that concussion rates in MMA were greater than in both hockey and football.

The investigators looked at MMA fights from 2006 to 2012 and found that fighters were hit for an additional 3.5 seconds after having been knocked out. About one-third of all MMA fights end in a knockout or what is called a “technical knockout.” Losers in technical knockouts were hit on average, more than 19 times with 92% of the blows landing on the head.

The researchers concluded that, “Given that participation at amateur levels of the sport is growing rapidly, we expect to see high rates of traumatic brain injuries at more junior levels of amateur competition. These points strongly argue for banning the sport in youth and for preventive strategies to reduce the burden of traumatic brain injuries in professional MMA fighters who elect to fight.”

The largest organization in MMA fighting is the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). The chief operating officer, Lawrence Epstein, told the Associated Press, “By partnering with the Cleveland Clinic, one of the world’s leading medical research institutions, on advanced studies aimed at not only preventing long-term brain injuries, but also identifying those predisposed to them, the UFC demonstrates true commitment to the safety of all professional athletes.”