The UFC announced a 5-year extension of its commitment to the Cleveland Clinic and pledged $1 million to its study on brain injury. The UFC’s donation makes it the largest combat sport contributor to the study.
The $1 million contribution will go the clinic’s Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Vegas where the study is conducted according to the press release.
“UFC is always looking for opportunities to invest in industry-leading health and wellness programs and providing resources to develop its athletes inside and outside the Octagon,” stated UFC COO Ike Lawrence Epstein.
Per the press release:
Established in 2011, the Professional Fighters Brain Health study is focused on developing methods to detect the earliest and most subtle signs of brain injury in athletes exposed to head trauma, as well as determining which individuals may be more likely to develop chronic neurological disorders. Now in its fifth year, researchers are confident the findings will benefit the safety and health of professional fighters as well as those exposed to repetitive head trauma in other sports and activities.
This time last year, the UFC along with Bellator, Glory, Golden Boy Boxing and Top Rank announced its joint support of the Cleveland Clinic study on brain health.
The study is to monitor active fighters and is also used by the Defense Department in hopes of using its findings for other brain injuries related to military duty.
Payout Perspective:
The pledge and commitment to continued examination of the effects of brain trauma is a worthy cause in combat sports. The question is what findings are coming out of the study and what are the takeaways that can be implemented for the sport. Of course, this is also a public relations and preventative measure from litigation. The NFL is under ongoing scrutiny based on how it has handled head-injuries in its sport. The most recent report against the NFL, cites the league’s influence in a study it had previously funded. This news should be something to look out for in the future if the study yields information contrary to the beliefs of the UFC.
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