UFC 115: Iceman KO'd again...regretfully I told you so
I silently boycotted UFC 115. Do I think that they will feel the loss of my $55...not so much. Why did I boycott? I just couldn't support or condone what I feel to be morally wrong and medically dangerous.
After his last concussion and KO loss, I wrote that Chuck Liddell should retire due to accumulation of head trauma and the obvious signs that his brain was not responding well to continued insults. Fight fans call it a 'glass chin'. Doctors familiar with concussions call it a significant warning sign that the brain is showing the results of multiple injuries.
I am disappointed by the continued lack of understanding or respect for the significance of multiple concussion in sports. Fans wish Chuck a "speedy recovery" and "get well soon, dude" as if he merely suffered a sprained ankle.
The fact that Chuck can no longer take a punch the way he once did is a sign that significant damage has been done to the brain.
The mere fact that medical science currently cannot run a test or MRI to show the damage provides the uninformed or disinterested a plausible argument for the continued participation of brain injured fighters. The technology will one day advance and the damage that fighters, fans and promoters now shrug off will be obvious to all.
Then the sports world will say-"if we had only known".
And the truth will be "if you had only cared".
After his last concussion and KO loss, I wrote that Chuck Liddell should retire due to accumulation of head trauma and the obvious signs that his brain was not responding well to continued insults. Fight fans call it a 'glass chin'. Doctors familiar with concussions call it a significant warning sign that the brain is showing the results of multiple injuries.
I am disappointed by the continued lack of understanding or respect for the significance of multiple concussion in sports. Fans wish Chuck a "speedy recovery" and "get well soon, dude" as if he merely suffered a sprained ankle.
The fact that Chuck can no longer take a punch the way he once did is a sign that significant damage has been done to the brain.
The mere fact that medical science currently cannot run a test or MRI to show the damage provides the uninformed or disinterested a plausible argument for the continued participation of brain injured fighters. The technology will one day advance and the damage that fighters, fans and promoters now shrug off will be obvious to all.
Then the sports world will say-"if we had only known".
And the truth will be "if you had only cared".
Thanks you Dr. Benjamin for providing your professional expertise, explaining the dangers of money driven apathy and out-right neglect. I, too, "boycotted" UFC 115 for the very same reasons you stipulated...so that makes 110.00 dollars and not just 55.00 dollars.
UFC is on the same evolutionary tract all professional combat sports seem to follow--money hungry decadence at the expense of the fighters.
Art
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I agree and am ashamed myself.
I thought after the Shogun fight it was glaringly apparent how weak his chin had become, but I will freely admit to my own desire to see him compete again.
Chuck was the reason I started watching MMA and continues to be my favorite fighter of all time, letting that go has been hard. I only hope there were no long term effects for my foolish desire. However on one good note, I feel this is the way he should have gone out. He looked better than he had in years, fought a great and respectful opponent who showed amazing heart, continuing to fight with a broken arm. The fight was great, but the end only proved once more that he's just taken too many hits to keep going.
The card was very good and the condit/mcdonald fight was worth the price alone, seeing my favorite fighter in what is hopefully his last appearance was an added bonus.
Also, despite the win, Cro Cop doesn't look like he'll be able to compete with the top dogs of his division. Another fighter who's just not what he once was.
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Very interesting post.
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