Medical Beat: With fractured hand, Brian Bowles made the right call at WEC 47

WEC 47 was an interesting night of action for all MMA fans – and especially this oddball who happens to be an orthopedic surgeon.

The now-ex-champ Brian Bowles suffered a hand fracture early in the fight, and according to the Ohio Athletic Commission, he didn’t answer the bell for the third round (with urging from his cornermen). I felt bad for the kid; all that hard work out the window.

We’ve seen it many times before. It happens in fighting. I thought to myself, “Give him a few months to heal, and he’ll be back. No controversy there.” Boy, was I naïve!


WEC 47 was an interesting night of action for all MMA fans – and especially this oddball who happens to be an orthopedic surgeon.

The now-ex-champ Brian Bowles suffered a hand fracture early in the fight, and according to the Ohio Athletic Commission, he didn’t answer the bell for the third round (with urging from his cornermen). I felt bad for the kid; all that hard work out the window.

We’ve seen it many times before. It happens in fighting. I thought to myself, “Give him a few months to heal, and he’ll be back. No controversy there.” Boy, was I naïve!