| Mixed
Martial Arts (MMA) competitions were introduced in the United States
with the first Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in 1993. In 2001,
Nevada and New Jersey sanctioned MMA events after requiring a series
of rule changes. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence
of injury in professional MMA fighters. Data from all professional
MMA events that took place between September 2001 and December 2004
in the state of Nevada were obtained from the Nevada Athletic Commission.
Medical and outcome data from events were analyzed based on a pair-matched
case-control design. Both conditional and unconditional logistic regression
models were used to assess risk factors for injury. A total of 171
MMA matches involving 220 different fighters occurred during the study
period. There were a total of 96 injuries to 78 fighters. Of the 171
matches fought, 69 (40.3%) ended with at least one injured fighter.
The overall injury rate was 28.6 injuries per 100 fight participations
or 12.5 injuries per 100 competitor rounds. Facial laceration was
the most common injury accounting for 47.9% of all injuries, followed
by hand injury (13.5%), nose injury (10.4%), and eye injury (8.3%).
With adjustment for weight and match outcome, older age was associated
with significantly increased risk of injury. The most common conclusion
to a MMA fight was a technical knockout (TKO) followed by a tap out.
The injury rate in MMA competitions is compatible with other combat
sports involving striking. The lower knockout rates in MMA compared
to boxing may help prevent brain injury in MMA events.
KEY
WORDS: Brain injury, ultimate, boxing, jiu jitsu.
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