Ringside Physicians propose stopping fights after signs of a concussion

[FlippyHambone]

They need to stop fights when someone shits themselves... For real.

 

[franquito]

Its going to be hilarious when IMG takes the CTE lawsuits that are surely on the way and Feritittas get off scott-free.

People think they robbed IMG blind now, just wait...

 

[Threetrees]

Frankie would have absolutely not gotten the chance of coming out for a second round in Maynard 2 and 3, and that's my main gripe.

Shit, TJ might have also not gotten cleared to come out for a second round against Cody. Imagine that.

And that's a fair point to make, because in MMA more than in boxing (it feels like at least) we see dramatic and drastic momentum swings from round to round.
But this isn't some deep long term neurological exam, this is self report
A better critique is that in the article the physician suggests a couple questions like "What round is it" which is foolish for MMA because fighters rarely seem to know what round it is even when they're winning "What day is it?" is better because the answer should essentially always be saturday and if you don't know that then you're probably more fucked up than you should be out there fighting.

The point is, this suggestion isn't nearly as dramatic as people seem to think it is. The main point is that the referee wouldn't be the only person allowed to stop the fight. With some tweaking and education this policy, at least seems to me, to be perfectly reasonable.

 

[Soul On Ice]

No thanks
There are only so many things you can do to make it safer until it stops being what it's supposed to be
It's a fight

 

[Son Peyote]

https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2018/8/...-release-new-guidelines-cte-brain-health-news

Association of Ringside Physicians release new guidelines for concussion care in MMA and boxing


On July 26th the Association of Ringside Physicians (ARP), a non-profit and non-government organization of primarily fight doctors, released a consensus statement titled Concussion management in combat sports through the British Journal of Sports Medicine. The statement includes definitions and clarifications over what constitutes a concussion, an assessment of current medical suspensions and return to sport (RTS) protocols in combat sports, and a new set of guidelines that the ARP would like to see instituted to create, what the organization believes, would be a safer environment for combat athletes.



To have fights end after signs of concussion (i.e. after a fighter is ‘rocked’ in a round and then tells a doctor in the corner that he can’t remember what happened or what day it is) instead of when a fighter is unconscious or unable to defend themselves, would demand everyone involved in combat sports to adjust their expectations and redefine their understanding of how a fight is won or lost.

“A culture shift is probably one of the hardest things to do and that’s why we need exposure and education,” said Neidecker. “We’re seeing things slowly take a turn in other sports. The NFL is a prime example of this, but they’re still having their struggles and having their hard times. But things have definitely gotten better. I can say that for sure. So again it’s just more education. It’s more exposure, it’s just kind of getting the word out there. It will take some time, but I think as we learn more and more about this injury, and we are still learning a lot more about it, the culture will follow.”

• 30/60/90 day suspensions for TKO and KOs should be expanded to not only bar a fighter from competition, but also from sparring.
• All fighters, including the winners of a bout, should receive an in-ring/cage examination and a backstage examination by ringside physicians to look for signs of concussion.
• Fighters should return to non-contact and conditioning training one week after TKO or KO losses and then adopt a return to fighting protocol that includes a gradual progression of intensity.
• Zero sparring or competition if an athlete is experiencing any signs and symptoms of concussion.
• If a fighter is exhibiting signs of concussion during a bout, the fight should be stopped. These signs include, but are not limited to headache, confusion, blurred/double vision, nausea/vomiting and balance/gait issues.

Nothing in the fight game is safe

This is Blood Sport​

 

[Absolution]

Over the fighters’ dead bodies. Let them bang bro.

 

[EvilDDS]

Crazy, any hockey fans here? Bryan Berard is suing the NHL for not protecting him from concussion related symptoms or something like that.

 

[Gilday]

It's self report
if a fighter complains in the corner to a doctor about a headache in an MMA fight they're essentially quitting anyway

Fair point, I just feel like having a headache after getting kicked in the head is kind of a given

 

[TheRuthlessOne]

I like the idea.
The safer the fighters, the better it is for their career in the log run.

This is fighting you moron

Grow a pair

If you don't want a concussion well shit don't get punched in the face for a living

 

[cambo78]

GREAT! MMA is going down the NFL road. In ten years, punching too hard is going to be a foul. If people want to fight, they're accepting the risk of getting fucked up.

 

[Deleted member 549255]

Good idea for fighters. Not for us fans

 

[marvinparsons]

I'm torn on this issue.

I absolutely think fighters and the audience are far too casual about brain injuries. Shit is real and it happens far more easily than most of us would like to admit. A bad KO can permanently change a fighter and cause serious repercussions later in life.

But on the other hand... The high stakes of very real physical damage is what makes the fights so compelling.

I think more time off after a KO is a no brainer (excuse the pun), but stopping a fight as soon as any concussion symptoms are seen is a bit too far for a combat sport, IMO. However, I think there are plenty of fights that can be stopped earlier by refs, doctors, and most importantly, corners and coaches. We need to get used to the idea of mma fighters taking a loss to avoid career altering damage.

More education is definitely key, as many fighters get in to this when they're very young and not really thinking about their future and may even be entirely ignorant to the threats brain damage poses.

Exactly. MMA = brain damage. That should be the starting point. If a guy is getting battered then throw in the towel, stop the fight whatever. Too many MMA fights go on way too long. JDS vs Cain, for example.

 

[GOATER]

Good idea for fighters. Not for us fans

Horrible for fighters..Specially for guys liked Eddie Alvarez.


The dude gets dropped and has looked rocked in almost every fight he's had.....even when he wins.

Imagine if they could stop fights after "signs" of concussions, which are being slightly rocked/doing the stanky leg/etc......They will stop fights ASAP.

Say goodbye to comebacks!!!!!!

Fuck this pussification!

 

[mooseman17]

This seems like it would be quite the common occurrence.

 

[honzo]

I just remember Lyoto v Rockhold.
Lyoto was in all sorts n shouldn't have continued the (2nd round I think).

 

[Goodyroom]

We had a good run

 

[TheScorpionDude]

Boxing has been just fine for a hundred years, I'm sure nothing will change in combat sports.

 

[DIDM]

This is ridiculous, next thing you know they'll stop fights the second someone takes damage.

I literally haven’t thought of log rolling in probably 20 years, ha, it was fun growing up

 

[Kryptt]

We had a good run

Just Hug!!!

 

[tasticles]

They need to stop fights when someone shits themselves... For real.
View attachment 423149

They do now. Its a TKO or DQ, i forget but the loser shits themselves.