Ben Rothwell says bare knuckle fighting safer than MMA. Agree or disagree?

[HoiceNJuicy]

AFeldmanMMA

@afeldMMA
·
1h

BKFC heavyweight champion Big Ben Rothwell explains why he believes bare-knuckle is safer than MMA: “When I first told her, I’m like, ‘Hey, I’m gonna get a contract from BKFC,’ she’s like, ‘Absolutely not.’

The word of it, you know — it’s because of that, ‘Oh my God, it’s so violent, it’s bare knuckle.’ And I had to sit back and think for a second…I go, ‘Do you realize that there’s men my size in MMA that can head-kick me, knee me, elbow me? I could fall on my arm, I could get armbarred — do you realize how dangerous MMA is?’

And she goes, ‘You’re right.’ And I’m like, ‘Yeah, in this, all I have to worry about is fists. And yeah, there’s lacerations, there’s cuts from the bare knuckles, but outside of that, the injuries are way less. Honestly, it’s not as dangerous as MMA.’”

This clip is from Uncrowned Films’ first documentary, “What Is BKFC?”, and the whole thing is worth a watch. It’s wild seeing the behind-the-scenes of a BKFC event and the mentality of these fighters before and after. It seems to be a different level of mindset than any other combat sport.

 

[Kung Fu Kowboy]

I mean... The CTE is already there from MMA , so why not.

 

[Why did you]

 

[Mohawk Banditó]

Few reasons it is, few reasons it isn't.

MMA allowing people to go to the ground and hunt the finish at all times means the damage overall you take is less than the prolonged beating of a fight that pauses for a few seconds with each knockdown to give you time to recover and return to getting beat

Now, he's right in that the stronger weapons like kicks, knees, and elbows being taken out saves him some grace, but the chances to save yourself from damage with submissions being part of the attack also being taken away is worse.

Target area is also part of the conversation. MMA fighters tend to head hunt when they strike. But they're allowed a wider range of targets. So that's more case by case basis.

People forget that gloves exist to reduce damage to your hands, not the other person's head/body. Because they exist, you are free to punch harder with them on. And it's added mass to the force.

However, the flip side of that is that most fighters are really stupid, and not having hands protection isn't preventing them from winging their punches at 100%. The flip flip side is, if that results in them breaking their hand, then they're doing less damage again.

More glove also means more of the damage is under the skin, I believe, whereas bare knuckle means your skin is eating and absorbing the damage from the difference in pounds per square inch. So that allows some of the 'give' or reaction to the action. So the damage is more visceral, but slightly more superficial.


*I've tried to review this post a few times for grammar cuz im really a bit out of it right now and noticing mistakes each time, but I don't know if I can catch em all right now, so good night and good luck reading it

 

[Kwic]

Always liked Ben.
Glad he is doing well in Bare Knuckle.
Hell, I would watch him if he returned to the UFC. I bet he could beat some of roster still.
Also, him subbing Barnett was crazy.

 

[goOb]

I agree but it is a lot bloodier and the injuries tend to be cuts and broken noses. However, I do believe it is safer as there are no gloves protecting the fighters hands so the punches should not be as hard and impactful.

 

[tigersmoosh]

they should use leather work gloves and no wraps. there would be way fewer cuts.

 

[ChrisBN]

Few reasons it is, few reasons it isn't.

MMA allowing people to go to the ground and hunt the finish at all times means the damage overall you take is less than the prolonged beating of a fight that pauses for a few seconds with each knockdown to give you time to recover and return to getting beat

Now, he's right in that the stronger weapons like kicks, knees, and elbows being taken out saves him some grace, but the chances to save yourself from damage with submissions being part of the attack also being taken away is worse.

Target area is also part of the conversation. MMA fighters tend to head hunt when they strike. But they're allowed a wider range of targets. So that's more case by case basis.

People forget that gloves exist to reduce damage to your hands, not the other person's head/body. Because they exist, you are free to punch harder with them on. And it's added mass to the force.

However, the flip side of that is that most fighters are really stupid, and not having hands protection isn't preventing them from winging their punches at 100%. The flip flip side is, if that results in them breaking their hand, then they're doing less damage again.

More glove also means more of the damage is under the skin, I believe, whereas bare knuckle means your skin is eating and absorbing the damage from the difference in pounds per square inch. So that allows some of the 'give' or reaction to the action. So the damage is more visceral, but slightly more superficial.


*I've tried to review this post a few times for grammar cuz im really a bit out of it right now and noticing mistakes each time, but I don't know if I can catch em all right now, so good night and good luck reading it

Theres layers of factors to consider. You make good points.

 

[NicholasJBasile]

I don't feel it's safer, but I feel it's safer to win a fight from an opponent's broken hand as opposed to a knockout.

 

[Portland8242]

Yeah worrying about broken hands will definitely cause some fighters to be a bit wary of putting all the steam on their punches, so less KO's in that regard too.

But at the same time you got some crazy mofo like Mike Perry who doesn't give a fuck and will still give you life altering beatings in the ring.

I remember against Rockhold he was saying he was literally gonna headbutt Lukes fist and break his hands lmao

 

[Spath]

Safer in terms of what? Bare knuckle will shred your face, break your skull, nose and teeth..

In MMA you might get head kicked, kneed and elbowed to the face..

Neither sounds like a fun time to me. That’s why I will never compete. Getting thai clinch kneed like Franklin against Silva? Fck all that, I’d rather sit out and watch the gladiators go at it. All hespect to them.

I don’t think there’s much difference in terms of damage. It’s a bit different damage, but it’s still damage and you know what you sign up for.

Fighting bums in BKFC might feel a lot safer than facing the elite of UFC HW division, though…

 

[don't ask]

However, the flip side of that is that most fighters are really stupid, and not having hands protection isn't preventing them from winging their punches at 100%. The flip flip side is, if that results in them breaking their hand, then they're doing less damage again.

I wish modern bareknuckle boxing followed London Prize Ring rules because they were perfect for MMA fighters. This means:

-no wraps
-throws allowed
-fights are to the finish

Bareknuckle boxers, to protect their hands, would prioritize body shots and wrestling to wear down their opponents, only hunting for the head once they thought their opponent was fatigued enough to be knocked out. But, you're right, modern bareknuckle boxers don't give a shit about their hands and are throwing bombs to the skull as wildly as possible. I don't have a lot of interest because of this.

Original bareknuckle boxing was much safer because of these rules and strategies. These people had to return to work the next day and couldn't perform manual labor with broken hands.

 

[Elvis.]

It’s probably safer CTE wise , but if you’re goal is not to be horribly deformed not so much

 

[ArtardFiesta]

ben rothwell had a tough time in mma. i remember he had to leave miletech because a teammate (i think it was matt hughes but correct me if i am wrong) slept with his gf or wife.

 

[Neck&Neck]

Ben is becoming the new Tito

 

[don't ask]

I remember against Rockhold he was saying he was literally gonna headbutt Lukes fist and break his hands lmao

That's a legitimate strategy from old time boxing (blocking with the crown of your head). Another destructive tactic they used to do was catch punches with their elbows.

 

[don't ask]

ben rothwell had a tough time in mma. i remember he had to leave miletech because a teammate (i think it was matt hughes but correct me if i am wrong) slept with his gf or wife.

That wasn't Ben Rothwell, it was another dude named Ben.

 

[rjmbrd]

The decision to let these guys all get mutilated faces and broken hands for the 'bare knuckle' gimmick is absurd.

Do everything exactly the same, with wraps and MMA style gloves. Even make the gloves leaner if you like.

Everyone's face is getting turned into shredded scar tissue and the hand breaks objectively shorten your career.

 

[Portland8242]

That's a legitimate strategy from old time boxing (blocking with the crown of your head). Another destructive tactic they used to do was catch punches with their elbows.

I definitely know about the elbow trick. That's some oldschool 52 blocks type shit. Romero actually broke Whittaker's hand in their 2nd fight with that.

 

[gracie_barra_samurai]

Safer than boxing. But on the flip side, your face can easily get rearranged. Those moments in BKFC when stuff around the nose area gets broken are absolutely knarly.