Tag: CTE

UFC Invites Key Personnel To First ‘Brain Health Education Summit’ Amid Growing CTE Concerns

Mixed martial arts is a combat sport and when you’re training and competing in it, it’s impossible to avoid withstanding a degree of physical damage by it’s very nature. That being said, with more knowledge and technology at our disposal, there are a lot of ways that the sport can be made safer than ever […]

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Mixed martial arts is a combat sport and when you’re training and competing in it, it’s impossible to avoid withstanding a degree of physical damage by it’s very nature. That being said, with more knowledge and technology at our disposal, there are a lot of ways that the sport can be made safer than ever before.

One of the biggest health developments across sports as a whole is the greater understanding of CTE, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy. CTE is one of the biggest concerns for combat sports athletes because of the constant risk of head injuries and concussions which can have a negative affect on the brain.

The awareness of this has grown massively in recent years which is especially important in a time where the health and future of former fighters has been a big talking point this year amidst the ongoing Le v. Zuffa lawsuit. In a recent development, the UFC are also taking matters into their own hands in order to provide greater education on how to prevent damage being done to the brain.

In a recent message that was sent out to key personnel in the MMA world, the UFC’s Performance Institute invited people to attend the MMA leader’s first “Brain Health Education Summit”, as seen below.

The invite was posted on social media by combat sports lawyer Eric Magraken.

“Hello UFC athletes, managers, and coaches, UFCPI is thrilled to announce it’s first-ever Brain Health Education Summit! Don’t miss this incredibly opportunity to hear directly from top researchers and the UFCPI team on the latest insights and practices to boost brain health, manage concussions and elevate performance.”

Continue Reading UFC Invites Key Personnel To First ‘Brain Health Education Summit’ Amid Growing CTE Concerns at MMA News.

Dana White Reveals Brain Damage with Scans revealing Black Spots: “I wouldn’t take one punch back.”

Dana White Reveals Brain Damage with Scans revealing Black Spots: "I wouldn't take one punch back."Dana White recently revealed that he has black spots on his brain stemming from his days as a boxer….

Dana White Reveals Brain Damage with Scans revealing Black Spots: "I wouldn't take one punch back."

Dana White recently revealed that he has black spots on his brain stemming from his days as a boxer.

Also known as brain lesions, black spots can show up on an MRI for a slew of reasons, including stroke, radiation exposure, genetic conditions, seizures, multiple sclerosis, and traumatic brain injuries i.e. concussions. Of course, concussions and other TBIs can be the cause of chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

Dana White on Power Slap

CTE has been a hot-button issue in combat sports, specifically when speaking about White’s latest pet project, Power Slap. Debuting in January 2023, the maligned slap-fighting league has faced backlash from fans, fighters, and those in the medical field who were quick to call it nothing more than “sanctioned brain trauma.”

For those unfamiliar, Power Slap is a sport where two opponents take turns delivering open-hand slaps until either one person is knocked out or the judges decide whose slaps are more effective. The biggest issue with the so-called sport is that there is no defense involved. Slapees are required to stand there with their hands behind their back and take an uncontested smack from the slapper.

Needless to say, the “sport” has delivered some pretty insane clips on social media that have quickly expanded its popularity. However, with that has come more scrutiny. Still, White has remained a staunch supporter of Power Slap even in the face of his own medical issues.

“I used to box when I was younger,” White told TIME Magazine. “I went in, and I did one of those brain studies. I have black spots all over my brain from what I did. I wouldn’t take back one punch. Not one. The position that I’m in right here, right now, today, I wouldn’t take one punch back because I loved that much.

“And the doctors all talk about, ‘Somebody could die.’ I got news for all the doctors. We’re all gonna die. How do you want to live your life? What do you love, and what are you passionate about?”

Dana White on Power Slap

Dana White insists power slap is safer than boxing

During the same interview, White tried to explain why he has little concern over the health of his Power Slap competitors compared to those who compete in 10-12 round boxing matches.

“If you look at boxing, right, these guys train and spar for months leading up to a fight, then they go in there, and they fight 12 rounds. You’ve seen the UFC fights, knock-down, drag-’em-out wars. These guys go in and take three slaps or less… We spend the money.

“As long as you know you have two healthy athletes going in to compete, the proper medical attention is there that night, and they get the proper medical attention after, you take a huge portion of the risk out.

Dana White on Power Slap

Power Slap 9 will head to Abu Dhabi on Thursday, October 24 when super heavyweight champion ‘Da Crazy Hawaiian’ takes on Russian slap-fighting legend ‘Dumpling.’

Dana White on Power Slap

UFC Hall of Famer ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone says Power Slap is great ‘if you want to hear CTE brain damage’

Cowboy Cerrone on Power SlapDonald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone loves Power Slap — just don’t expect him to ever participate in it. On Friday night, the…

Cowboy Cerrone on Power Slap

Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone loves Power Slap — just don’t expect him to ever participate in it.

On Friday night, the controversial upstart promotion’s sixth event went down in Las Vegas and drew a plethora of combat sports stars, online influencers, and celebrities. Also on hand for the festivities was the UFC Hall of Famer who offered an interesting endorsement for Dana White’s latest pet project.

“I love it,” Cerrone said. “This is, like, if you just want to watch knockout, knockout, knockout, and hear CTE brain damage, this is the event” (h/t MMA Fighting).

The UFC CEO has been pushing Power Slap hard over the last couple of years despite continued criticism from professional fighters and fight fans who have labeled the quote-unquote “sport” as nothing more than a barbaric display lacking any legitimate athletic merit.

Former NSAC Chairman Admits Regret over Sanctioning Power Slap

The inherent danger of Power Slap has also been a hot-button issue considering the entire premise is to hit someone in the head as hard as you can with the recipient disallowed from defending themselves. Still, that didn’t stop the NSAC from sanctioning Power Slap, a decision Stephen Cloobec — the former chairman of the Nevada State Athletic Commission — quickly came to regret. “I made a mistake,” Cloobeck told The Associated Press. “I’m not happy about it.”

‘Cowboy’ Cerrone spent 16 years competing against some of the biggest names in mixed martial arts under both the WEC and UFC banners. His memorable wars with Benson Henderson, Nate Diaz, Anthony Pettis, Rafael dos Anjos, Edson Barboza, Jorge Masvidal, Robbie Lawler, Leon Edwards, Tony Ferguson, and Justin Gaethje earned him a spot in the UFC’s Hall of Fame class of 2023.

But even after more than 50 fights inside the cage, don’t expect to see ‘Cowboy’ step up to the Power Slap podium anytime soon.

“Not even I would do this,” Cerrone said with a laugh.

UFC Hall of Famer B.J. Penn claims CTE is a ‘Lie to cover up murders’

BJ PennUFC Hall of Famer B.J. Penn is once again sharing his controversial opinion on chronic traumatic encephalopathy, otherwise known…

BJ Penn

UFC Hall of Famer B.J. Penn is once again sharing his controversial opinion on chronic traumatic encephalopathy, otherwise known as CTE.

Penn, who holds the distinction of being one of the few fighters in promotional history to capture world titles in two different weight classes, has seen his illustrious mixed martial arts legacy overshadowed by a series of confusing and controversial statements. In addition to denying the existence of dinosaurs and COVID-19, ‘The Prodigy’ has also taken a strong stand against CTE, a neurodegenerative disease linked to repeated trauma to the head.

Athletes, particularly those competing in contact sports such as football, MMA, and boxing, are considered to be at considerable risk of showing symptoms of CTE, which occur in four stages, and generally appear eight to ten years after an individual experiences repetitive mild traumatic brain injuries. Those symptoms include behavioral problems, mood problems, and problems with thinking.

Many fight fans believe Penn, who officially retired from the sport in 2019 after 18 years of competing, is showing these signs in many of his social media posts, which are often nonsensical.

However, if you ask Penn about CTE, he will not only deny his symptoms, but he’ll outright deny the existence of the condition altogether.

“Do I have to keep telling you how fake CTE is? Ali, Frazier, Norton, foreman, Hagler, duran, Leonard, and Hearns never had it and they got a million times more than me each. CTE likes are a to cover up murders. Don’t make me tell you again kid,” Penn wrote on Instagram.

B.J. Penn Has a long history of denying CTE

It’s far from the first time Penn has taken that stance, as you can see in the below screenshots:

While Penn has become something of a joke in the MMA community following his failed political career and questionable stances on scientific facts, many fight fans are concerned for his long-term health more than anything. Unfortunately, you can’t help anyone anymore than they are willing to help themselves.

Ex-UFC champion BJ Penn denies the existence of brain condition CTE: ‘It is as fake as the coronavirus’

BJ Penn denies the existence of CTE it's as real as the coronavirusBJ Penn (16-14-2 MMA) has sounded off that CTE is real labelling the theory “fake,” in a response to a comment he received on his most recent social media post. Penn hasn’t seen the inside of the cage since 2019 after to his unanimous decision loss to Clay Guida (38-23 MMA) at UFC 237. However, […]

BJ Penn denies the existence of CTE it's as real as the coronavirus

BJ Penn (16-14-2 MMA) has sounded off that CTE is real labelling the theory “fake,” in a response to a comment he received on his most recent social media post.

Penn hasn’t seen the inside of the cage since 2019 after to his unanimous decision loss to Clay Guida (38-23 MMA) at UFC 237.

However, it has been over 12 years since MMA fans last saw ‘The Prodigy’s’ hands raised inside that Octagon.

That win came against the legendary Matt Hughes (45-9 MMA) at UFC 123, as Penn managed knockout Hughs in emphatic fashion in round one.

BJ Penn denies the existence of CTE

The former UFC lightweight champion has claimed on his social media that there is no explanation for the existence of CTE, no more so than coronavirus.

Penn further denied that the likes of Muhammed Ali and Jim Brown ever had the condition despite contrary belief and evidence. 

“What is CTE again? Did Ali have that? What about Jim Brown did he have that? CTE is as fake as the coronavirus,” BJ Penn stated. 

When asked whether CTE is real or fake on another comment, Penn replied by questioning the validity of covid vaccine and whether that was real or fake.

“Real quick, is the coronavirus vaccine real or fake?”

IMG EF393293DCE4 1
Credit: BJ Penn’s Instagram

For many MMA fans it will be interesting to learn more about BJ Penn views on CTE and his reasons for not believing in it. 

For a fighter who fought for so long and suffered a substantial amount of brain damage, it’s confusing to understand why Penn is so against the theory, could this potentially be an effect of CTE? 

Do you agree or disagree with BJ Penn’s view on CTE?

UFC legend Frank Shamrock to donate his brain to the Concussion Legacy Foundation to help aid in CTE research

Frank ShamrockMMA icon Frank Shamrock announced that he is donating his brain to help aid in the study of CTE. Shamrock, the first-ever UFC light heavyweight champion, went 23-10-2 over the course of his 15-year career. Last competing in 2009, Frank Shamrock has been a strong advocate for brain health in recent years. In a lengthy […]

Frank Shamrock

MMA icon Frank Shamrock announced that he is donating his brain to help aid in the study of CTE.

Shamrock, the first-ever UFC light heavyweight champion, went 23-10-2 over the course of his 15-year career. Last competing in 2009, Frank Shamrock has been a strong advocate for brain health in recent years. In a lengthy social media post, the California native announced that he would be doing his brain to the Concussion Legacy Foundation, a non-profit organization that “works to advance studies into brain trauma in athletes and other significant at-risk groups.”

shamrock brain pledge

How Frank Shamrock Hopes to Help Advance CTE Research

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, or CTE, is a progressive and fatal brain disease associated with repeated traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), including concussions and repeated blows to the head. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, individuals who have experienced TBI in their early to midlife face a significantly higher risk of developing dementia.

Despite being a hot-button issue in sports over the last two decades, CTE research still has a long way to go as a diagnosis of CTE can only be made after death. There is also no cure for the fatal brain disease if an individual shows symptoms that include memory loss and thinking problems, confusion, and erratic behavior.

Frank Shamrock hopes to help advance the research of CTE so that we can better understand the signs and effects, particularly for those who compete in contact sports like football, boxing, and mixed martial arts.

Throughout his illustrious career, Frank Shamrock set a series of records that still stand to this very day. Aside from being the first fighter to win championships in the UFC, WEC, and Strikeforce, Shamrock still holds the record for the fastest submission in UFC light heavyweight history, coming just 16 seconds into his UFC Japan bout against Kevin Jackson in 1997. Shamrock also holds the distinction of headlining the promotion’s first event in Brazil.

Frank Shamrock squared off with other notable legends inside the Octagon such as Jeremy Horn, Tito Ortiz, Renzo Gracie, Phil Baroni, Cung Le, and Nick Diaz.