Modern MMA fighters that will get the most CTE

[Brather]

There are tons of different factors. Some of them are impossible to quantify like the damage you take in sparring. And then, even something as small as hitting the heavy bag can cause your brain to shuffle around. But what a lot of fans aren’t considering is the fact that genetically, some people are more resistant to the adverse effects of CTE. Others are extremely predisposed. So from our perspective, it might as well be random who suffers and who doesn’t. Like for example, if you look at recent interviews, Floyd Mayweather’s starting to sound punch drunk and he pretty much started the whole defense first philosophy in combat sports. We know he didn’t take hardly any damage in fights.

I remember Mayweather mentioning memory loss and mood issues a few years ago, but as another poster said, 12 rounds is insane.

 

[BForrester]

Soccer players get it from heading the ball. It does not require concussive blows to cause CTE.

 

[joy2day]

There are tons of different factors. Some of them are impossible to quantify like the damage you take in sparring. And then, even something as small as hitting the heavy bag can cause your brain to shuffle around. But what a lot of fans aren’t considering is the fact that genetically, some people are more resistant to the adverse effects of CTE. Others are extremely predisposed. So from our perspective, it might as well be random who suffers and who doesn’t. Like for example, if you look at recent interviews, Floyd Mayweather’s starting to sound punch drunk and he pretty much started the whole defense first philosophy in combat sports. We know he didn’t take hardly any damage in fights.

Yeah the genetic issues are twofold- they affect both the odds of developing it and the severity once the CTE has developed; some of the same genes that make you susceptible to other types of dementia are in play with CTE, which is interesting.

There are numerous older MMA guys that don't sound the same anymore, so while we have no idea who will get it and who won't, it is definitely becoming prevalent in MMA. Mayweather didn't per se get hit a lot in fights, but the sheer number of fights and years training would make him high risk. There is some science behind the risk being more based on numerous small traumas than the medically measurable concussive events.

 

[joy2day]

Soccer players get it from heading the ball. It does not require concussive blows to cause CTE.

Soccer blows ARE concussive. Studies have shown that heading a speeding soccer ball has the same impact as having a brick dropped on your head from 4 feet above you.

 

[Thepaintbucket]

CTE is kinda rarer in MMA because they take way less damage to the head than boxers. I know people want to point to Tony Ferguson and Diego Sanchez, but they were crazy mfs before and their change can be just attributed to aging.

That's like a Dana White line botha. All these guys in combat sports likely have CTE. Definite diagnosis can only be done postmortem through a brain autopsy. Look at the NFL CTE controversy lawsuit. Most athletes won't know they even have it.

 

[Brather]

Soccer blows ARE concussive. Studies have shown that heading a speeding soccer ball has the same impact as having a brick dropped on your head from 4 feet above you.

Interesting. Was waiting for you to join the thread as you kind of are the CTE expert or at least you studied the topic.
I wonder if besides the genetic factor, other things can prevent CTE or at least slow it.

 

[joy2day]

Interesting. Was waiting for you to join the thread as you kind of are the CTE expert or at least you studied the topic.
I wonder if besides the genetic factor, other things can prevent CTE or at least slow it.

Other protective factors beyond genetics are mostly related to sheer physics. Reducing the force and number of impacts to the head is the main thing. Removing yourself and getting proper healing time after concussions matters. Obviously, the general way you treat your cognitive health will have some effect, but far less so than how much impact your brain gets.

Having greater musculature in the neck is important. Girls' soccer gets more concussions than boys, which is theorized to be because boys have stronger neck muscles which reduce the impact to the brain.

 

[Brather]

Other protective factors beyond genetics are mostly related to sheer physics. Reducing the force and number of impacts to the head is the main thing. Removing yourself and getting proper healing time after concussions matters. Obviously, the general way you treat your cognitive health will have some effect, but far less so than how much impact your brain gets.

Having greater musculature in the neck is important. Girls' soccer gets more concussions than boys, which is theorized to be because boys have stronger neck muscles which reduce the impact to the brain.

Oh wow girl's soccer having more concussion is not intuitive at all and really suggest that neck muscles are important for preventing brain damage.
I also assume some nutrients play a role in the healing process. I wouldn't be surprised if stuff like psilocybin also is a factor.

 

[joy2day]

I also assume some nutrients play a role in the healing process.

That would fall under general cognitive health measures along with exercise, sleep, etc.

 

[Mask Of Winters]

I'm legit shocked I got this deep into the thread before Elkins was mentioned when he should've been the very first name of the very first post.

Du Plessis is another one I can easily see getting it the way he fights like an '80s action hero.

 

[Mask Of Winters]

Also, Johnny Walker. Definitely Johnny Walker.

 

[fizzlehiss]

Western Boxing is the absolute worst because of the fight length. Bar-none. And I say Western Boxing because Muay Thai and Lethwei are short, comparatively speaking.

It's actually kind of stupid. The head trauma a professional boxer takes in a single 12 round fight is staggering. And for what reason? To go to a 12 round decision even though EVERYONE knows who's going to win by the end of round 5. Yes, there are exceptions, but they're actually quite rare.

That's not even factoring in the damage these guys take in sparring, which is what fucked Mickey Rourke up so badly.

I remember when the Conor/Floyd circus was in full swing and an interviewer asked Jim Lampley what he thought Conor's chances were against Floyd:

And I quote:
"Conor McGregor has spent a total of 21 minutes on his feet in his last TEN fights. He's about to go 36 minutes in ONE fight against Floyd Mayweather."

In terms of sheer brain trauma, Western Boxing is unparalleled. The reason we occasionally hear about deaths in the boxing ring, and almost NEVER hear about it in MMA, is because some of these boxers are rolling into round 8 fully concussed, and possibly bleeding in the brain.

Yet you mostly see UFC fans talk about CTE of MMA fighters and not all the boxers who are fighting unto old age and had hundreds of amateur bouts like Loma. It truly is largely rom overfocusing.

 

[Chama]

Gaethje already sounding like Stricklands blurred husky speach.

Strickland.

Max

Bryce Mitchel

Hill (maybe he was born damaged, though)