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The Physician and Sportsmedicine Volume 49, 2021 - Issue 4
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Original Research

Craniofacial and traumatic brain injuries in mixed martial arts

Mohamad Y. Faresa Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon;b Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon;c College of Medical, Veterinary, and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, UKCorrespondence[email protected]
ORCID Iconhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-8228-3953
ORCID Icon,
Hamza A. Salhaba Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon;b Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
,
Jawad Faresd Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USAORCID Iconhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-5368-8764
ORCID Icon,
Hussein H. Khachfeb Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
,
Youssef Faresa Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
,
Hasan Baydoune Department of Orthopedics, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
,
Joseph A. Abboudf The Rothman Institute, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA
&
Nada Alaaeddinea Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
 show all
Pages 420-428 | Received 21 Jul 2020, Accepted 03 Nov 2020, Published online: 03 Dec 2020
 
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ABSTRACT

Objective: Mixed-Martial-Arts (MMA) has witnessed a rapid growth over the recent years. This study aims to explore the patterns and trends of head injuries in MMA.

Design: Descriptive epidemiological study.

Setting: Ringside physician reports of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fights between 2016 and 2019 (inclusive) were screened. Data were extracted from the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) database. Play-by-play video analysis was also conducted.

Participants: UFC fighters involved in fights sanctioned by the NSAC, between 2016 and the end of 2019 (N = 816).

Independent variables: Sex, location of head injury, type of head injury, injury mechanism, number of significant head strikes, type of finish, and weight division.

Main outcome measures: Head injury rates were calculated. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to explore any statistically significant differences between injury rates of different locations, types, and types of finishes. An independent t-test was used to determine whether any significant differences existed between the two sexes, and a Joinpoint regression analysis was used to determine the statistical significance of the trends of head injury rates across different weight divisions. P-values <0.05 were considered significant (95% CI).

Results: A total of 288 head injuries in 408 fights were recorded during our study period. Head injury rate constituted 35 injuries per 100 athletic-exposures (AE) in sanctioned fights. Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) were the most common type of injury, with a rate of 16 per 100AE, significantly greater than that of fractures (p = 0.003). Males had a head injury rate of 37 per 100AE, higher than that of females which was 23 per 100AE. Technical Knockout (TKO)/ Knockout(KO) was the type of finish with the highest rate of head injuries, significantly greater than that of decision or submission (p < 0.001). In general, head injury rates were higher as weight divisions increased.

Conclusion: Head injuries are prevalent in MMA. Preventive measures need to be implemented to ensure fighter safety and limit injury risk.

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