Fabricio Werdum reveals brain damage in Le vs. Zuffa court case

[Mike]

Is there a real path forward that balances that power/money to the Co. and the fighters. That won''t be stuck in arbitration for years while the early day pioneers are physically/mentally/financially ruined.

No. That's why they're pushing for a payout NOW and who could blame them? The ufc will tie it up in courts until they're all old or dead. I don't know how such a clear and obvious point seems to escape so many people.

 

[wh4tttt]

And people jump to a lot of conclusions about financial decisions with zero info. While we DO have the information available that they have been paying less than 20% of revenue to fighters while going through massive expansion and growth and seeing a massive increase in profit. Seems kinda meanspirited to openly assume everything is always the fighters fault when it's known the ufc blatantly used their monopoly power to lowball fighters because they are the only org that matters. Why support shady business practices with the logic of well don't fight then.

Like aren't you guys fucking FANS of fighting what the hell guy?

I would say most are in favor of higher salaries. Think when everyone is on a mma forum a lot of spit balling is going on.

In reality most would say the only ones that deserve it are the ones that fall into the War Machine category.

 

[Mike]

I would say most are in favor of higher salaries. Think when everyone is on a mma forum a lot of spit balling is going on.

In reality most would say the only ones that deserve it are the ones that fall into the War Machine category.

I dunno man there are always a lot of real ufc ball washers in every thread about pay or benefits. They can't all be trolling.

 

[wh4tttt]

I dunno man there are always a lot of real ufc ball washers in every thread about pay or benefits. They can't all be trolling.

some live by the troll and die by the troll it is what it is.

 

[thecoldbloodedone]

They knew the risks when they chose to enter the sport.

I started fighting almost 20 years ago (retired now due to epilepsy) and the conversation around brain health was just never brought up, no one talked about it until after someone retired due to getting KO'd every fight.

I saw guys who had memory or motor skill issues after hundreds of fights but we all thought that was the problem, too many fights from a young age and getting knocked out cold multiple times in a year.
We did not realise that all these little knocks in training were actually doing so much damage, and each sub concussive rattle or shake makes the brain less and less stable.
I never got KO'd cold once in the ring/cage, had a granite chin sparring bigger world calls guys, so paid no attention.

Now the science is more well studied and known, but its often being suppressed, misunderstood or ignored in the community.

The culture in fight codes just isn't educated enough or possesses the right mindset around approaches to brain health.
Would I have backed out if I knew all this when I considered fighting at 18?
Probably not, its a personality thing that made me a champion fighter.
Would I have trained differently or retired much earlier?
Most likely.

 

[Trabaho]

Wanderlei gives Lee brain damage. Lee sues the UFC. Wanderlei sues the UFC.

 

[Uber_Noober]

 

[thecoldbloodedone]

if you suspect, or even have a hint of cte, stop fighting. it’s that simple.



i don’t feel bad for pro athletes one bit. even the lower paid athletes make enough to live comfortably for the rest of their lives if they spend and save wisely. they get to do something they love, get recognition and support (sometimes fame), and retire early. debilitating injuries can happen, but that’s a risk they’re all aware of beforehand, and the vast majority don’t have them. you can get injured in almost any industry btw, so that’s not unique to athletes.

Its not that simple. Most athletes don't realise they have damage until its too late.
And they wouldn't be entertaining world class athletes without the grit and competitiveness to push through adversity to begin with.
There is next to no conversation in gyms around brain health, I've never had a coach speak to me about it in many years training around the world.

Most athletes make fuck all money apart from the top % and its even worse in combat sports.
Plus once your health or performance puts you out of the game there's not much else coming in, and the dedication and time required to reach that professional level negatively affect your ability to be set up for the next stage of a working life.

Even if these athletes seeking a payout from the UFC did most of their damage in the gym or similar, I think it could have a trickle down affect that would entice the promotion and trainers to implement more healthcare policies for the fighters, so I hope they get some money and its made public.