MMA Injury death

[cheesefrysamurai]

has anyone heard about it?

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1982058-pro-mma-fighter-booto-guylain-dies-after-bout-in-south-africa?utm_source=cnn.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=editorial&hpt=hp_t3

I admit i did not read the article but its sad. Modern day gladiators, not athletes. Maybe we can find other ways of expressing dominance in the octagon? Maybe we can more quickly recognize when someone is beaten?

I dont know. Do most people consider their entrance into MMA a life threatening activity?

[Wastelander]

It is certainly a tragedy, but to say that MMA fighters aren't athletes is a bit silly--they're in better shape than people who make a living doing nothing but being athletic! The comparison to gladiators isn't fair, either, although they were also great athletes and about 90% of them lived to retirement, which isn't as bad as history class made it out to be. In any case, more people die playing football and competing in boxing.

I will say that, in almost every instance of a death in MMA, there has been some sort of underlying cause. I noticed in the article that he lost his previous fight. Did he sustain a brain injury in that fight, and was it recent? If so, then that could explain how this happened. We may never know, of course, but I do hope his family gets answers.

[Zaine]

Modern day gladiators, not athletes.

You've hit an interesting point I think. Throughout human history there has frequently been a gladiatorial stage on which spectators like to watch blood shed. If it isn't fighting with a sword and shield in a colosseum it's running a football down a field or (to make a less subtle comparison) two people in an octagon fighting each other. Regardless, it would seem that we crave this kind of show on some level.

[sensei8]

Do most people consider their entrance into MMA a life threatening activity?

No, I don't think they do. I believe that they're aware of the potentiality of the whole thing.

I'm not sure right now, but, weren't elbow strikes banned because of the blunt trauma that they can afflict upon ones head. If not, then it might enter the minds of those who make the rules/laws of said venue's.

It's sad!! Even one death, imho, is one too many! My prayers go out to his family, friends, and fans.

[Drew]

Do most people consider their entrance into MMA a life threatening activity?

No, I don't think they do. I believe that they're aware of the potentiality of the whole thing.

I'm not sure right now, but, weren't elbow strikes banned because of the blunt trauma that they can afflict upon ones head. If not, then it might enter the minds of those who make the rules/laws of said venue's.

It's sad!! Even one death, imho, is one too many! My prayers go out to his family, friends, and fans.

Elbows are more likely to cut than to produce blunt force trauma. In unified MMA rules the only elbow that's banned (that I know of) is the 12-6.

[sensei8]

Do most people consider their entrance into MMA a life threatening activity?

No, I don't think they do. I believe that they're aware of the potentiality of the whole thing.

I'm not sure right now, but, weren't elbow strikes banned because of the blunt trauma that they can afflict upon ones head. If not, then it might enter the minds of those who make the rules/laws of said venue's.

It's sad!! Even one death, imho, is one too many! My prayers go out to his family, friends, and fans.

Elbows are more likely to cut than to produce blunt force trauma. In unified MMA rules the only elbow that's banned (that I know of) is the 12-6.

You're probably quite right. I know that I've seen some pretty blunt trauma elbow strikes in the early days of UFC, and I cringed.

[cheesefrysamurai]

Elbows are more likely to cut than to produce blunt force trauma. In unified MMA rules the only elbow that's banned (that I know of) is the 12-6.

Please explain

[sensei8]

The ENTERTAINMENT factor differs from one person to another. The MMA and the likes are within the genre of entertainment. The effective factor depends on a wide curve that varies from person to person, as well, imho. What drives the box-office? The brand must be taken care of and it can't take care of itself.

[ps1]

"No fighter from the UFC or any other major MMA promotion has ever died as a direct result of injuries during sanctioned competition."

I think this quote from the article itself is the most telling part. The UFC and other major sanctioning bodies take great care to ensure the safety of their ATHLETES. From the rules in place to the medical staff available to the training of the referees.

There are plenty of unsanctioned barn-brawlers out there that will literally take anyone willing to step in the cage. In the state of Ohio, for example, we are heavily sanctioned and governed by the state. Anyone over a certain age must have a CT and MRI scan of their head to prove they have no past brain trauma. They must fight a specific number of amateur fights before going pro. The rules for the amateurs are very different as well. No knees to the head, no elbows ect... This is to weed people out and ensure safety.

Don't get me wrong; it's a violent sport for sure. But it's nowhere close to what it used to be. This is just a tragic example of what can happen in combat sports. That said, look up the number of high school athletes that die or get paralyzed each year in high school sports. You may be shocked at the numbers you find.

[sensei8]

Good point about the blunt force not being the same as blunt trauma. I stand duly corrected. Therefore, the blunt force I saw during the very early days of the UFC, caused me to cringe.