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Why is MMA in Ireland not regulated?

UsedToWait

Surprised not to see any discussion in this forum in light of the tragic death.

Minister for Sport Michael Ring has hit out at the lack of regulation of MMA in Ireland.
He apparently wrote to 17 MMA organisers in February 2014, saying they needed to comply with safety standards and register with Sport Ireland, but they seemingly have not done so.

It was also reported yesterday that underage fights have taken place with no medical personnel present.

Is there a willful disregard for safety in MMA in Ireland, presumably for money saving motives?

I know nothing about the sport by the way, but was surprised not to see a thread about the Minister's comments..
If I've missed it, please delete mods..

edit: can't post link as on mobile, but story is on rte news site, if someone can link to it..

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csallmighty

Mellor wrote: »

It's also worth mentioning, that despite the fact that the Irish Sports Council doesn't recognize MMA, and give no funding to MMA. The Irish Sports Council had no issue carrying out random drug testing on MMA fighters, signed to the UFC, on behalf of USADA. Testing that I imagine they were paid for.

^That's pretty fecked up.

Good thread, I didn't know anything about MMA regulation in Ireland before I read this.

RoboRat

Skimmed over this and if I am repeating, my apologies.

MMA in Ireland is not regulated by a governing body. It's not through lack of trying but as previously stated Sports Ireland won't recognise it. Their argument is that its not a sport.

They say that it should go under IMAC and IMAC won't engage, in fact, from what I have seen and heard, they are downright against it.

Sport Ireland and IMAC for whatever reasons want nothing to do with it, my guess is that it dilutes the funding.

Michael Ring is doing what politicians do and covering his ass... to say that he predicted this only makes it worse. If he felt this was going to happen then he should have stepped up and got involved with getting a resolution to the situation with sports Ireland / IMAC.

IAPA was set up by coaches at the top clubs and with the backing of most clubs to self-regulate. The idea was that basically if an event wasn't IAPA approved, those clubs wouldn't let their fighters compete at them. This basically makes it hard for a promotion to get Irish fighters, but not impossible.

IAPA have stringent guidelines that have been approved by the main clubs, these include having doctors, paramedics on site (not sure of the actual specifics but I think its 2 doctors and 7 paramedics but i could be wrong). It also includes full blood work before a fight.

Some of the events now also require fighters to be SAFE MMA registered (eg Battlezone). This is an Irish/ UK organisation.

There are still promotions operating outside of these standards as they are voluntary and not mandatory.

Bottom line is that most of the clubs in Ireland have fighter safety as a paramount concern hence the creation of IAPA.

I can only assume that it only deals with amateur as that is the only way it can eventually get recognised by sport Ireland in the long run. Professional promotions such as BAMMA and the UFC have their own very stringent guidelines and IAPA has taken these organisations as a blueprint for their standards.

There needs to be a meeting with IAPA, IMAC, The sports council and Michael Ring with a resolution, as there is too much passing the buck. If IMAC won't let MMA be a part of it, then it needs to be recognised as a separate entity by sports Ireland.

This scenario is not down to MMA in Ireland not engaging, its down to others not willing to engage with MMA.

laoch na mona

for what its worth MMA isn't alone in the self regulation camp, both the ISKA & IKF aren't recognised by the sports council, both regularly organise full contact shows in Ireland

BJJ isn't recognised either I think

the sports council should be more proactive in ensuring as many organisations as possible are within its remit

CM24

I blame the sleazy promoters, like this Cesar guy. Only interested in the money.

Depp

what paper is that in? the quality of journalism lately...christ!

Gamebred

That is officially the worst ive seen from a rag on mma,never mind opinion pieces but a fecking picture of wandy printed in the paper supposed to be the TEF promoter my jesus.

CatFromHue

laoch na mona wrote: »

for what its worth MMA isn't alone in the self regulation camp, both the ISKA & IKF aren't recognised by the sports council, both regularly organise full contact shows in Ireland

BJJ isn't recognised either I think

the sports council should be more proactive in ensuring as many organisations as possible are within its remit

I don't know the ins and outs but have been surprised that the sports council has been getting a bit of stick.

It was my understanding that they set out a framework that if you wanted to get regulated by them you had to achieve and MMA in Ireland hasn't got there yet. I freely admit I could be wrong but that was the gist of an article last week I read.

Also 2 years ago 95% of people in Ireland thought MMA was a food additive and UFC was a telecommunications company so considering how long these things take I'm still not feeling the sports council are to blame, or much to blame.

Mellor

CatFromHue wrote: »

It was my understanding that they set out a framework that if you wanted to get regulated by them you had to achieve and MMA in Ireland hasn't got there yet. I freely admit I could be wrong but that was the gist of an article last week I read.

I believe part of their framework involved "you have to go under IMAC".
IMAC said no. Impasse

Also 2 years ago 95% of people in Ireland thought MMA was a food additive and UFC was a telecommunications company so considering how long these things take I'm still not feeling the sports council are to blame, or much to blame.

Maybe that's true, but I bet a lot more would know what cagefighting or ultimate fighting was.
I don't think knowledge of acronyms is a good indicator.

CM24

Depp wrote: »

what paper is that in? the quality of journalism lately...christ!

The Evening Herald.

CatFromHue

http://www.the42.ie/mma-sport-ireland-recognition-2704143-Apr2016/

This is the article I read that's where I learned of the framework.

I don't know if the were or weren't told to go to IMAC.

My point about people not knowing is that the sport is so new in Ireland and was underground for the most part til 2 years ago so for sport ireland to regulate sports like that they'd be trying to regulate so many different sports they'd never get anything done.

My take on it is that MMA has to drive getting regulated and not sports ireland making them, for example sports ireland don't get involved with how the IRFU run or provide safety for it's rugby players, though with the death of the fighter on the weekend that may change.

Mellor

CatFromHue wrote: »

http://www.the42.ie/mma-sport-ireland-recognition-2704143-Apr2016/

This is the article I read that's where I learned of the framework.

I don't know if the were or weren't told to go to IMAC.

My point about people not knowing is that the sport is so new in Ireland and was underground for the most part til 2 years ago so for sport ireland to regulate sports like that they'd be trying to regulate so many different sports they'd never get anything done.

My take on it is that MMA has to drive getting regulated and not sports ireland making them, for example sports ireland don't get involved with how the IRFU run or provide safety for it's rugby players, though with the death of the fighter on the weekend that may change.

That article is referring to the new-ish IAPA. He is speaking if that's the first time it's been raised. But if you go back 3 or more years on this forum, you see that the issues with ISC and the IMAC being covered.
MMA wasn't underground 2 years ago, underground suggests something operating outside of the law.

Expect the Sports minister, and the ISC to feint ignorance in the media in the wake of the tragedy. It's what happens with political types.

CatFromHue

That article was from last week so before the tragedy.

While our meaning of undergorund may differ, my take is that it means away from the vast majority of the population, I do think 2 years ago the vast majority of people in Ireland knew very little and had seen very little of MMA.

I can't speak for what happened 3 years ago on the forum but I think in general 3 years ago MMA was a very different animal in Ireland with regards playing numbers and attendance at events.

Mellor

CatFromHue wrote: »

That article was from last week so before the tragedy

I was referring to the sports ministers comments post tragedy.
Nothing the article says is incorrect, but it leaves out a lot of the history of how they got to this point. The IAPA will eventually became regulated.

While our meaning of undergorund may differ, my take is that it means away from the vast majority of the population, I do think 2 years ago the vast majority of people in Ireland knew very little and had seen very little of MMA.

That would be a niche sport. Underground has a lot of negative connotations imo.

I can't speak for what happened 3 years ago on the forum but I think in general 3 years ago MMA was a very different animal in Ireland with regards playing numbers and attendance at events.

It's no doubt bigger now at a club level, and in terms of the UFC. But I think you underselling local events from 3 years ago. We aren't talking about small crowds in GAA halls, (although that happened too). 3 years ago you had both Cage Warrior events in the Helix where Conor won his titles. That's significant enough to warrant a serious look at regulation imo

CatFromHue

Yeah I agree what the minister has said post weekend has been blame deflection and I'm not in a position to talk about the history.

Underground, niche, I don't see a major difference. If you do, fair enough I respect that, just interchange them when you see me type them.

The Helix isn't a big place though, relatively speaking, I mean I've done exams there and thought it wasn't that big.

empacher

this is easily the most civil debate on this forum in a long time, I think realistically. ISC IMAC IAPA and the minster for sport should all be the bigger person and meet.

Nothing stopping them and looks good from all sides.

Mellor

Maybe I'm being abut harsh on "underground". But for a long time MMA had to contend subtle digs like that from the media, calling if cage fighting, no-rules etc. I know you weren't have a dig of course, I just don't like to sell it short. There's plenty who will do it for us.

Probably less than 2000 at those fights in the helix. Probably a similar crowd at TEF last weekend.

RoboRat

Mellor wrote: »

Maybe I'm being abut harsh on "underground". But for a long time MMA had to contend subtle digs like that from the media, calling if cage fighting, no-rules etc. I know you weren't have a dig of course, I just don't like to sell it short. There's plenty who will do it for us.

Probably less than 2000 at those fights in the helix. Probably a similar crowd at TEF last weekend.

I don't think you are being harsh and I feel the same about it. 3 years ago it wasn't mainstream, but it wasn't been done in abandoned warehouses - it was very much above board. I also hate the term cage fighting, its mixed martial arts or MMA. Its a small thing but its these references that give uninformed people the wrong impression of the sport.

The sports council seem to be happy to pass the buck. If IMAC don't want it as part of their group that's their decision. Then its a separate entity and this should have been resolved years ago. There was an impasse and IAPA are stuck between a rock and a hard place, SC tell them to go to IMAC, IMAC say no thanks, back to the SC who dig their heels in rather than engaging with the sport and getting the wheels in motion.

It's typical bureaucratic nonsense and its horrendous to think that it takes a death for people to pull the finger out.

Mellor

RoboRat wrote: »

I don't think you are being harsh and I feel the same about it. 3 years ago it wasn't mainstream, but it wasn't been done in abandoned warehouses - it was very much above board. I also hate the term cage fighting, its mixed martial arts or MMA. Its a small thing but its these references that give uninformed people the wrong impression of the sport.

Exactly. Glad I'm not the only one who sees it's this way. The media uses those little subtle digs to paint a picture. None of it is accidental.
Agree with everything you said about IMAC/SC. we'll get a lot of passing the buck the next few weeks.

[Deleted User]

This is an interesting discussion. As aside i would like to know the doctors required tbh, a friend and I just discussed last night, actually it was at a house party and there were 15+ student doctors there so an interesting chat.

He is a consultant neurologist,his argument was that if the doctors required are simply GP's they are pretty much as useful as an average joe in the crowd.
He said you would need a neurologist and a resuscitation specialist at the minimum to have proper medical on hand and they would cosr serious bucks, probably 1000 - 1500 each for the night. So I would be skeptical these are being provided.

Mellor

Goose81 wrote: »

This is an interesting discussion. As aside i would like to know the doctors required tbh, a friend and I just discussed last night, actually it was at a house party and there were 15+ student doctors there so an interesting chat.

He is a consultant neurologist,his argument was that if the doctors required are simply GP's they are pretty much as useful as an average joe in the crowd.
He said you would need a neurologist and a resuscitation specialist at the minimum to have proper medical on hand and they would cosr serious bucks, probably 1000 - 1500 each for the night. So I would be skeptical these are being provided.

That's a very good question. I wouldn't know who is being provided at events in Ireland. However in US, Australia, etc where fights are regulated they would be doctors registered with the association of ringside physicians. While it's not a specialist degree, it is a familiarity with combat sports that is necessary imo.

I can can see the logic behind a neurologist being a good choice, even better if they are familiar with ARP, studies, journals etc. But I'm not sure that a resuscitation specialist would be a benefit. But obviously, not an expert and could be missing something. What was your friends logic there?

laoch na mona

while I haven't had much involvement in organising them, at a fair few IKF shows the doctors on hand are often the same, not sure why that is but it is reassuring as a fighter to know that the medical staff are familiar with the sport

Niall Keane

Related to this issue, and may reflect upon it....

In 2009 the Irish Chinese Boxing Association attempted to get recognition from both IMAC and the Irish Sports council.

We did not succeed and the response / reason from IMAC was that we were “too much like MMA”, regarding the rule set of Sanda. (which I guess is a Chinese style of MMA).

The Sports Council, although were very helpful and eager to assist us, (as we were applying for international recognition form the EWUF, the European arm of the International Wushu Federation), and we had athletes ready for European competition. Those athletes first needed us (ICBA) to be members of the EWUF to qualify to enter, and the EWUF required that we be recognised by our own National Sports Council. (you see where this is going...)

Through exhaustive efforts, as the International Liaison Officer and utilising the many contacts I had built up through many years of both competing and coaching internationally, and calling in favours.... I managed to secure us EWUF membership, a special exception was granted, due to the EWUF sending one of their Executive to assess the situation, and the ICBA, the IMAC and another body that was seeking membership.

They felt IMAC was not impartial and had clearly negative intentions towards the development of Wushu in Ireland. This assessment was based upon their (IMAC's) written reasoning in their response to the ICBA behind their decision to refuse us membership, relating to the sport of Sanda, (one of the two pillar sports of Wushu) Ironically this leaves IMAC with a bogus and funded “Kung Fu” section that is recognised by the ISC but dismissed by the IWUF and so the IOC.

Our government was preoccupied with the great recession, and so, although EWUF contacted the then minister relating to the serious matter of Ireland being in breach of an EU-China bi-lateral agreement to “promote” each other's cultures, by refusing to recognise an international sport that was IOC (International Olympic Committy) recognised, that had been specially show-cased at the Beijing Olympics (competing within the 3 month zone of the Games themselves, some will understand the significance of that!), and was 8th in line for inclusion in the games, that the IOC sanctioned body the IWUF, the governing body for Wushu had over 189million members worldwide in 187 countries, despite all this, there was silence.
An informal meeting occurred in France, where our minister met an Executive of the EWUF and assurances were given and I guess like many assurances given by the previous government in many areas, they were simply empty verbalage!

Now, I also have a letter addressed to me alone, and so legally confidential, save where a Judge demands it brought forward.... (otherwise I would link it)

It is a letter form the ISC, in 2009, in the letter I am informed that a new process of ISC membership is to be enacted, this process required some foundation work first, namely the “definition” of sport! Anyway, this new process would allow sports to present their applications and not have to be part of an umbrella group. They (the ISC) recognised the ludicrous situation of the ICBA having athletes successfully compete in the EWUF Europeans an IWUF and so IOC recognised martial arts, combat sport event, and yet still being denied access to funding, simply because a body (IMAC) charged with “representing” ALL Martial Arts to the “SPORTS” council refused, for their own, biased reasoning to reject Sanda as a relevant sport relating to martial arts, as it was too close (apparently) to MMA!

These are the donkeys we are dealing with, and the bureaucracy we faced and I'm sure Irish MMA also faces today? We even thought we had an ace up our sleeve with the IOC – IWUF , China – EU BI-Lateral situations. But in truth we have an absentee Minister when it comes to Combat Sports.

I know through conversation that the ISC are itching to kick IMAC to the kerb, principally because they create so much unnecessary conflict and work for them, there are a long list of combat sports who have suffered from IMAC's policy, which let's be logical for a second, is not about researched fears over injury and deaths, but about rent-seeking and preventing competition for the funding they enjoy and the events their Sports-Karate members host.
Is there any other logical reason? Can there be??? I'd love to hear it!

Perhaps the tragedy of that young man's death will rattle the minister's doors? The situation certainly needs his intervention, if just to bless the new process of ISC membership application. If done, it would mean funding for at least amateur events, and qualifying standards could be enshrined in codes of conduct. That's important!!!

Sure it wouldn't have had a direct effect on the tragedy that occurred in an independent professional promotion. But other dangers to young athlete's exist that can be cured with some funding of the cash-strapped amateur community-funded organisations.

And then there's the “cultural” aspect...After all... you don't start out “professional”, neither as an athlete nor an official, if we want to have athletes ready to go to war on a lei-tai or in a cage or a ring and not be so inexperienced as to be unsafe to themselves, likewise for their coaches, (where have they all come from, every village in Ireland has an MMA gym???) and if we want competent home-grown officials with oceans of experience keeping a watchful eye on our athlete's safety they need to have “grown-up” in a “culture” of Athlete focused safety, not only trained, but experienced in good practice etc...

Tragedy is an unfortunate reality in combat sports, some utterly unavoidable. I have seen its scar on victims' families, officials and on the other fighters who must carry killing a human being always, sometimes a rival they have come to befriend, a competitor without whom their own skill would be a shadow of what it is, and the mature martial artist recognises this fact. Like we don't fear being hurt, or even that it could happen to us, those issues are not forefront to most fighter's minds, but we do appreciate our opponents, even if one adopts the pantomime of playing the gallery, it is just to to boost a purse, our opponents offer us the way to improve our art, they are some of our greatest teachers, and command our greatest respect. Tragedy is far from common, but once it does occur, things are never the same again for anyone.

For the record, I've handed over the reigns, and have literally “travelled west”. I have no agenda here, outside of Athlete Safety. I simply relate my direct experiences, all of which I can evidence.

This story is not unique and no longer being involved in the politics of the Irish Wulin, ( I will never have to work again with some of these excuses for...) I feel disclosing the truth and lies and especially the unprofessional, utterly inept, masonic element inherent in that world of hierarchial dystopia, where many more martial artists and organisers of good-intention still suffer today, may have a positive effect? Truth usually does.... It has needed to be said for a long, long time, PUBLICALLY. From what I hear the story has repeated in different chapters of being given the run-around since at least the 80's. Today it is MMA...

I read previous posts calling on organisations to sit down and talk.... we already have friend... I'm sure its true for your governing bodies too. The rise of MMA has been spectacular, even as a traditional martial artist I see that it has almost killed off TMA save the glorified kid crèches, and let it continue to do so, good riddance... Toppling of the redundant and close-minded IMAC's of the world will follow! In a few years how will they justify their funding? They should seek it from the Department of Education for running crèches not the department of sport, arts and culture!

As for TMA... if its relevant it will adapt, already Sanda schools in China have introduced the ground game, and promotions like Art of War (MMA with kicks to downed opponent) seems the way forward. Sanda offers a good base and will survive, Shuai Jiao is ever popular, relevant CMA and its “flavour” will not be lost. Its all good, in the end... just a shame, even a danger, for those athletes who must await the enlightenment of the bureaucracy of state.

Mellor

I'm sorry to hear that the IMAC treated ICBA that way Niall, but knowing little bit about Sanda I'm not surprised. Their intentions for "martial arts" in Ireland is clear. More interested in dress up and make believe than anything martial.
I'm surprised they didn't just outright say "Sorry, Sanda looks like it's actually effective. Not for us"

From being in the IMAC website, I noticed Sambo wasn't mentioned by them either. I wouldn't be surprised if somebody from "Sambo Ireland" has a similar letter from IMAC.

Niall Keane

yea, it would be interesting to see the list of shunned combat sports.

I though I'd just share the above for a few reasons:

. the general public might understand that we have a "tax-payer funded" "representative" umbrella group for martial arts who deal with the Irish SPORTS Council, who refuse to deal with International Olympic Committee recognised combat sport, in our case Sanda, and other combat sports are similarly discriminated against.

Yet this publicly funded body has a "kung fu" section, and so one must assume receives funding and grants for such. This body and assumingly their "kung fu" section rejects Sanda as is evidenced by their reply to the ICBA. Sanda is one of the two pillar sports of Wushu, the other being the gymnastic forms competitions.

Wushu however, as aforementioned is an International Olympic Commitee recognized sport and the International Wushu Federation (IWUF) is the only recognized international body by both the IOC and China itself.
As such we have a tax-payer funded body claiming public funds and rejecting the very sport it claims to represent. Except of course, technically, it doesn't claim to represent "Wushu" but "Kung Fu" a term with no real meaning outside of Shaw Brother Movies.

To add insult the international body's representative here the ICBA is barred by IMAC from national representation.

So a small group of insular "Irish" martial artists get to over-rule the opinion of the IOC, as clearly such amadains would know better, and also over-rule the International bodies for a combat sport that was part of the 2008 Olympic event, bodies involved in a sport, developed from Chinese Martial Culture, a national sport of China, bodies sanctioned by China itself, the ONLY such bodies.... yet still IMAC's opinion blocks Irish Sports Council / ICBA interaction.

This also from a legal position means that Ireland is failing to honor the bi-lateral agreements between China and the EU promising to promote each others cultures.

Imagine if a umbrella sports body in China responsible for field sports refused to "acknowledge" rugby as a "sport" because the ball wasn't round or some other made-up internally decided nonsense allowed them to do so? Would that body be awarded any credibility?

This defies all logic.

From this we can establish the character of IMAC. And also reveal the inadequacies with in the structure of Irish Sport to deal with such amadains.

. The other reason is to share such with perhaps those involved with the development of MMA in Ireland, so as they can understand the terrain they face in this regard. It may save some fruitless chasing of shadows.

The only solution is for IMAC to get a kick in the arse from the Minister and hauled unwillingly into the 21st century or to be scrapped entirely. Why should they enjoy public monies and discriminate arbitrarily in the use of such? Why aren't they accountable to public scrutiny?

They fail ultimately on the duty they are charged and paid to perform, that is to represent an umbrella organization for all Irish Martial Arts to the Sports Council and as we are talking Sports, it is ludicrous that internationally established, IOC recognized sports are subject to IMAC "opinion" on whether they meet some internal arbitrary criteria. Likewise for MMA, the sport has precedence in legal recognition in the USA and other countries. My advice is to forget playing politics. Use the legal and government avenues, their friends propping the charade up wont be too fond of having a light shone upon the issue.

IMAC's only strength is its long-standing and funded education programmes on first aid relating to combat sports etc., its demands on coach certification relating to having undertaken such education and other such relevant and necessary health and safety and protection of vulnerable measures. Sure we can all outsourse these services and are currently forced to, but the beauty for a lazy government is that IMAC takes care of that issue for them, i.e. they are a bowl to wash their hands of responsibility. The problem is of course all this relevant training and the associated funding is being provided to a semi-contact, combat-sport-lite audience. Its like if you publicly fund boxercise classes and not boxing. Its a sick joke! a box-ticking excercise, and who will ultimately pay the cost?

Gumbi

That really shows how much of an agenda is at play from IMAC. Sanda is a really practical martial art, and despite being very similar to MMA (really just lacking a ground game, plenty of sweeps from caught kicks etc AFAIK) it "looks" a lot more civilised; yet despite that IMAC wouldn't have any of it it seems.

Disgraceful.

[Deleted User]

Mellor wrote: »

That's a very good question. I wouldn't know who is being provided at events in Ireland. However in US, Australia, etc where fights are regulated they would be doctors registered with the association of ringside physicians. While it's not a specialist degree, it is a familiarity with combat sports that is necessary imo.

I can can see the logic behind a neurologist being a good choice, even better if they are familiar with ARP, studies, journals etc. But I'm not sure that a resuscitation specialist would be a benefit. But obviously, not an expert and could be missing something. What was your friends logic there?

A neurological needing to be there as you said is common sense.

My friend said a resuscitation specialist as its very easy to keep someone breathing, a regular paramedic could do it, but to recognise someone has impaired brain function and work in tandem with the neurologist to stabilise them and ensure that no or little brain damage occurs is a specialist area, involves possibly inducing them into a coma and doing emergency destabilising methods to their brain, i.e releasing pressure in a life or death scenario.

Just look at the video of Fabrice Muamba in the UK on youtube, the doctors thought they had stabilised him on the pitch until a heart surgeon steps out of the crowd, begs to be let on and saves his life by sticking his head in ice untilhe got to the hospital. Had he not been there he either would have died or been brain damaged and this is a player that was surrounded by doctors, but crucially not specialists.

He heard the MMA paramedic so called expert that newstalk had on during the week and described him as a joke. Said if someone had a legitimate brain injury they didn't stand a chance with a paramedic or a gp at ringside. One trains for 15 years the other a few years yet he talked as if he was a doctor.

He like me is a fight fan so he is aware of what happens, he thought it would take 3 consultants at ringside to be adequately covered at a cost of probably 1500 a head. The only reason I mention this is because I struggle to see how a low budget event could cover them.

BTW the neurologist trains for about 15 years, they dont need to be familiar with any ARP studies ( if they are some specific mma study?) or mma specific journals, they are trained enough. Seeing motorcycle accidents and car crashes daily an injury by physical force blunt trauma is one of the easier things they will come across during the day.

A serious motorcycle injury is far more horrific to the brain than a punch, which they see regularly.

Mellor

Goose81 wrote: »

My friend said a resuscitation specialist as its very easy to keep someone breathing, a regular paramedic could do it, but to recognise someone has impaired brain function and work in tandem with the neurologist to stabilise them and ensure that no or little brain damage occurs is a specialist area, involves possibly inducing them into a coma and doing emergency destabilising methods to their brain, i.e releasing pressure in a life or death scenario.

As far as I'm aware, resuscitation wasn't required with Joao. Nor in any of the deaths I am familiar with. He was rushed to Beaumont and put in an induced coma I believe, as your neuro friend suggested.
Even with KO's, choke outs, etc., resuscitation on hand isn't going to help.

BTW the neurologist trains for about 15 years, they dont need to be familiar with any ARP studies ( if they are some specific mma study?) or mma specific journals, they are trained enough. Seeing motorcycle accidents and car crashes daily an injury by physical force blunt trauma is one of the easier things they will come across during the day.

The ARP deals with boxing and MMA, their sole area on interest and study is medical care at fights.
I'm well that a neuro takes years of training, and they are easily qualified to deal with blunt force trauma. But that's only looking at these extreme incidents in isolation.

The vast majority of the time the doctor won't be dealing with brain swelling, and induced coma. He'll be assessing a cut above the eye, a broken foot, dislocated ribs, etc. Above all, he'll just be checking on the fighter generally between rounds. While I'm sure a neuro or other specialist is capable of doing all that, he would he more capable if he was also familiar with the sport and ringside care.

Put it this way, if I was fighting, I would be comfortable if MMA was being explained to an retirement aged doctor before the fight.

Dyr

RoboRat wrote: »

I also hate the term cage fighting, its mixed martial arts or MMA. Its a small thing but its these references that give uninformed people the wrong impression of the sport.

Cage Wars
Cage Of Truth
Cage Rage
Cagey McCageface

Ya dig?

Dyr

IMAC used to have two agendas: Tree Huggers who consider anything other than tree hugging to be violence and Kickboxers who want to prevent other contact sports from gaining recognition, i.e. Muay thai, Sanda, MMA. Probably still does

I'd imagine there's more people training MMA than there are members of IMAC, why not leverage those numbers? As TKD, Judo, Wrestling etc have.

Gumbi

Bambi wrote: »

Cage Wars
Cage Of Truth
Cage Rage
Cagey McCageface

Ya dig?

It's a tough one. The actual reason the cage is there is for safety, yet it's promoted as a "2 fighters enter 1 fighter leaves type nonsense".

I wonder would it help to promote it as a " safety enclosure" :P Because that's exactly what it is.