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Blood Testing, Does it Happen?

  • 07-09-2010 6:51pm
    #1
    ollieo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 236 ✭✭


    I'm just curious about whether or not fighters have to provide blood results to show that they are not carriers of diseases such as Hepatitis, HIV etc before being allowed to fight.

    With the "new" C class rules allowing g'n'p there is more chance of fighters bleeding on to each other along with the usual pro classes.

    So my question is, is it required by coaches/promoters?

    And if not, why not?

    Fighter safety is the number 1 priority for coaches and should be for promoters so IMO blood tests should be mandatory for fighters before being allowed to fight on any promotion when fighting "new" C class and pro.

    Comments and opinions please.


Comments

  • #2
    Raze_them_all
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,477 ✭✭✭✭Raze_them_all


    Any time I've fought I've gone for blood tests 3 weeks before the fight and carry the results with me on show night


  • #3
    Dancor
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,624 ✭✭✭Dancor


    Raze_them_all wrote: »
    Any time I've fought I've gone for blood tests 3 weeks before the fight and carry the results with me on show night

    At your own cost?

    If you dont mind me asking.


  • #4
    Raze_them_all
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,477 ✭✭✭✭Raze_them_all


    at my own cost yes but my doc only charged me 20e a test as I was there every 8 weeks or so when i was fighting


  • #5
    Tim_Murphy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,995 ✭✭✭Tim_Murphy


    I've only ever been asked to get a blood test before 1 fight. Unless promoters are willing to pay for it I can't really see the idea taking off.


  • #6
    MarkFairman
    Closed Accounts Posts: 107 ✭✭MarkFairman


    I remember when Tom Egan fought for the UFC, he had to pay his blood test himself.

    I really think it should be obligitory. You hear all this banging on about fighter "safety" which i think is quite hypocritical. Having a great ref or cage side doctors and emergency staff will not help you if you get bled on by somone with HIV or Hepatitis.

    If a promoter will pay for Doctors but not blood test does not really make sense to me.

    However even if that is the case, I think its the promoters responsiblity not allow fighters fight without proven recent blood tests.

    I mean if we are supposed to be acting professional about MMA , lets act professional!


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  • #7
    Pontificatus
    Closed Accounts Posts: 131 ✭✭Pontificatus


    Interesting topic.

    I think they should be tested periodically, say every six months. The responsibility should lie with the fighters rather than promoters, simply due to the fact that fighters are not yet signed to promotions and as such are pretty much 'self employed' and fighting on a variety of shows. It should be up to the medical team and promoters at each event to check evidence of recent tests in the pre fight medical before allowing any fighter to fight.


  • #8
    karl bracken
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 387 ✭✭karl bracken


    I think it only makes sense to have blood tests, the ref can save you from G'n'P but it would be terrible to end up with hep or something worse

    i know the chances are slim but still...

    does anyone know how much the tests are?

    or maybe the promoter could arrange it with the cage/ring side doctors to do them as part of their deal


  • #9
    ollieo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 236 ✭✭ollieo


    Any coaches or promoters want to weigh in with their opinion?


  • #10
    ollieo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 236 ✭✭ollieo


    Tim_Murphy wrote: »
    I've only ever been asked to get a blood test before 1 fight. Unless promoters are willing to pay for it I can't really see the idea taking off.

    What show was that Tim?

    I agree that unless promoters insist on blood tests and cover the costs incurred by the fighter that it probably won't take off but it is an important part of fighter safety.


  • #11
    Tim_Murphy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,995 ✭✭✭Tim_Murphy


    ollieo wrote: »
    What show was that Tim?

    I agree that unless promoters insist on blood tests and cover the costs incurred by the fighter that it probably won't take off but it is an important part of fighter safety.

    That was our very own Tribal Warfare.


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  • #12
    Mr. Loverman
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,001 ✭✭✭Mr. Loverman


    There is no greater way to spread diseases than blood to blood contact.

    I would not expect a fighter to go out and have unprotected sex with a stranger who has her period, so why should I expect him to swap blood with a fighter?

    Makes no sense.

    It will only take one or two HIV+ fighters to spread the disease quite rapidly amongst the fighting community.


  • #13
    Martin Walker
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 724 ✭✭✭Martin Walker


    Martin Begley had to get a Blood test for his recent fight in Sweden. They wouldnt let him fight unless he had it. As far as i know he got it off the NHS for nothing. Im not sure how much it would cost private.


  • #14
    Raze_them_all
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,477 ✭✭✭✭Raze_them_all


    Martin Walker wrote: »
    Martin Begley had to get a Blood test for his recent fight in Sweden. They wouldnt let him fight unless he had it. As far as i know he got it off the NHS for nothing. Im not sure how much it would cost private.
    The north have free health care(which was a happy surprise when ger had " a vagina" in Mark Leonards wording after one his fights)

    Down south you only get free health care if you've a medical card. You generally have to pay for everything yourself.


  • #15
    MarkFairman
    Closed Accounts Posts: 107 ✭✭MarkFairman


    For professionalism and fighter saftey, I think the cost would be worth it.

    Yes you might be down a bit of cash but than better than a lifetime of HIV or other blood bourne diseases.

    I feel this is a topic alot of promotions in Ireland have stuck their head in the sand about. It's really is a no brainer when fighter saftey is concerned. However Im not sure if its a money issues that the promoters dont want to address or is it an "out of sight out of mind" kind of thing.


  • #16
    Barry.Oglesby
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 2,917 ✭✭✭Barry.Oglesby


    Mr. Loverman wrote: »
    I would not expect a fighter to go out and have unprotected sex with a stranger who has her period
    Don't you get red wings for that if you're a Hell's Angel?


  • #17
    Raze_them_all
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,477 ✭✭✭✭Raze_them_all


    Barry.Oglesby wrote: »
    Don't you get red wings for that if you're a Hell's Angel?
    I believe it's going down on the bird IIRC.


    While promoters may not be be fully enforcing this I can see no logical reason why fighters wouldn't do it themselves. I've never not had my bloods tested before a fight and will continue to do so if I ever get my ass back into fight shape.


  • #18
    MarkFairman
    Closed Accounts Posts: 107 ✭✭MarkFairman


    While promoters may not be be fully enforcing this I can see no logical reason why fighters wouldn't do it themselves. I've never not had my bloods tested before a fight and will continue to do so if I ever get my ass back into fight shape.

    Thats all well and good, and Im glad you did and will continue to get tested. However thats not going to help you if the guy standing across from you hasnt.

    Ultimately I believe its the promotors responsibilty to notify fighters they need to get their bloods done. No bloods no fight, I feel it should be that black and white.


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