Anyone who has every watched one MMA fight can see that injuries are just part of the sport. While bruises and cuts heal fairly quickly, broken bones and concussions are not uncommon. The rules of MMA do protect fighters in the main, but there is always an inherent risk in this combative sport. Here are a few of the most notable injuries and a few tips on how to prevent injuries in general.
Randy Couture is an MMA legend with plenty of wins to his credit. However, many of these bouts pale in comparison to his fight in 2007 against Gabriel Gonzaga. During Round 3 his heavyweight fight at UFC 74, Couture put his arm out to block a kick from Gonzaga, thus snapping Couture's left ulna. Despite this, Couture simply used his other arm, threw his opponent down and punched him until the referee stopped the fight and Couture won by TKO.
Frank Shamrock has had a long career in mixed martial arts and has broken many bones along the way, although usually they tend to be the bones of his opponents. During a Pancrase fight in 1995, Shamrock tore his opponent's ankle so badly it was ripped from its tendons. The opponent, Allan Goes, still managed to fight it out, and the bout was declared a draw. In 1998, Shamrock ended his opponent Igor Zinoviev's career with a particularly vicious throw to the ground. The impact knocked Zinoviev unconscious and his collarbone was shattered. Of course, it cannot always work out in Shamrock's favor; his ulna was broken during a 2008 bout against Cung Le.
There are dozens of interesting pictures showcasing some truly gruesome MMA injuries, where fighters are shrouded in blood with huge bumps swelling on their heads and cuts that look impossibly deep. An example would be a UFC 80 bout between Joe Stevenson and BJ Penn. Penn delivers a razor-sharp elbow to Stevenson, slicing his head open and drenching him in blood. Stevenson lost the bout by submission, but not during that round. Despite the injury, he continued to fight for another round. Stevenson obviously spent some time in the ER that night, but it was not nearly as bad as the result of a fight between Jorge Rivera and Nate Quarry, which ended with Quarry in the hospital for reconstructive facial surgery.
The Corey Hill-Dale Hart battle at the UFC Fight for the Troops Show in 2008 also goes down in infamy for one of the most horrible visuals in MMA. Hill was just a few minutes into the bout when he kicked at Hart's leg. Hart blocked the kick with his knee, snapping the bone in two and literally leaving the bottom half of Hill's leg dangling. Hill did return to the fighting in 2010, so sometimes even the worst looking injuries won't end a career.
Each of the injuries listed above are the exception to the rule, and just unlikely breaks (literally) for the fighters. Most fighters experience bruises and cuts and sometimes muscle injuries, but there are definitely ways to limit injuries. Keeping your weight consistent and avoiding severe weight cuts can help keep your muscles strong, and this will limit your risk of injury. Proper stretching is extremely important and also will limit injuries. Neck and shoulder injuries are very common in mixed martial arts, but stretching before a fight can reduce the severity of these injuries.
Your body cannot function at its best unless you have a proper diet, so it is important to really consider what you eat and drink. You need a nutrition plan that keeps your body, especially your muscles and bones, strong and healthy, so don't neglect your diet. It is a huge part of your fight game plan. The more agile and flexible you become, the less likely you will risk serious injury. Be sure to come up with a fighting style that helps you easily compensate for any type of opponent. If you are stronger, more agile and faster than your opponents, your risk of injury will go down.
Randy Couture is an MMA legend with plenty of wins to his credit. However, many of these bouts pale in comparison to his fight in 2007 against Gabriel Gonzaga. During Round 3 his heavyweight fight at UFC 74, Couture put his arm out to block a kick from Gonzaga, thus snapping Couture's left ulna. Despite this, Couture simply used his other arm, threw his opponent down and punched him until the referee stopped the fight and Couture won by TKO.
Frank Shamrock has had a long career in mixed martial arts and has broken many bones along the way, although usually they tend to be the bones of his opponents. During a Pancrase fight in 1995, Shamrock tore his opponent's ankle so badly it was ripped from its tendons. The opponent, Allan Goes, still managed to fight it out, and the bout was declared a draw. In 1998, Shamrock ended his opponent Igor Zinoviev's career with a particularly vicious throw to the ground. The impact knocked Zinoviev unconscious and his collarbone was shattered. Of course, it cannot always work out in Shamrock's favor; his ulna was broken during a 2008 bout against Cung Le.
There are dozens of interesting pictures showcasing some truly gruesome MMA injuries, where fighters are shrouded in blood with huge bumps swelling on their heads and cuts that look impossibly deep. An example would be a UFC 80 bout between Joe Stevenson and BJ Penn. Penn delivers a razor-sharp elbow to Stevenson, slicing his head open and drenching him in blood. Stevenson lost the bout by submission, but not during that round. Despite the injury, he continued to fight for another round. Stevenson obviously spent some time in the ER that night, but it was not nearly as bad as the result of a fight between Jorge Rivera and Nate Quarry, which ended with Quarry in the hospital for reconstructive facial surgery.
The Corey Hill-Dale Hart battle at the UFC Fight for the Troops Show in 2008 also goes down in infamy for one of the most horrible visuals in MMA. Hill was just a few minutes into the bout when he kicked at Hart's leg. Hart blocked the kick with his knee, snapping the bone in two and literally leaving the bottom half of Hill's leg dangling. Hill did return to the fighting in 2010, so sometimes even the worst looking injuries won't end a career.
Each of the injuries listed above are the exception to the rule, and just unlikely breaks (literally) for the fighters. Most fighters experience bruises and cuts and sometimes muscle injuries, but there are definitely ways to limit injuries. Keeping your weight consistent and avoiding severe weight cuts can help keep your muscles strong, and this will limit your risk of injury. Proper stretching is extremely important and also will limit injuries. Neck and shoulder injuries are very common in mixed martial arts, but stretching before a fight can reduce the severity of these injuries.
Your body cannot function at its best unless you have a proper diet, so it is important to really consider what you eat and drink. You need a nutrition plan that keeps your body, especially your muscles and bones, strong and healthy, so don't neglect your diet. It is a huge part of your fight game plan. The more agile and flexible you become, the less likely you will risk serious injury. Be sure to come up with a fighting style that helps you easily compensate for any type of opponent. If you are stronger, more agile and faster than your opponents, your risk of injury will go down.
About the Author:
Nolan Barias loves writing about mixed martial arts benefits. For more details about mixed martial arts lessons in San Diego or to find local coaches teaching jiu jitsu lessons in San Diego, please go to The Arena MMA website now.
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