There is a reason why one of the most popular MMA movies of all time was called "Bloodsport." Mixed martial arts is a combat sport and within combat, injuries are to be expected. Watch just a few minutes of an MMA bout and you are guaranteed a little blood, but sometimes the wounds go much deeper. Read on for a few examples of the worst MMA injuries.
While fans don't really wish to see fighters hurt, there is undeniably a fascination with the unique injuries inflicted on MMA fighters. Perhaps even more impressive than the injuries themselves is the defiance of the fighters to succumb to these injuries. Case in point would be a match between Gabriel Gonzaga and Randy Couture during UFC 74 in 2007. During the third round, Gonzaga snaps Couture's left ulna with a sharp kick, yet Couture just shifts his energy to his uninjured arm and ends up throwing Gonzaga down and punching him until the fights ends via TKO.
Frank Shamrock has had a long career in mixed martial arts and has broken many bones along the way, although usually they tend to be the bones of his opponents. During a Pancrase fight in 1995, Shamrock tore his opponent's ankle so badly it was ripped from its tendons. The opponent, Allan Goes, still managed to fight it out, and the bout was declared a draw. In 1998, Shamrock ended his opponent Igor Zinoviev's career with a particularly vicious throw to the ground. The impact knocked Zinoviev unconscious and his collarbone was shattered. Of course, it cannot always work out in Shamrock's favor; his ulna was broken during a 2008 bout against Cung Le.
Mixed martial arts is known for bloody bouts, and as we all know, head wounds do tend to gush. Rarely is there a fight without at least a little blood, as that is just a consequence of this type of fighting. Some cuts are worse than others, such as the sliced open face of Joe Stevenson during UFC 80 after BJ Penn hit him with an elbow sharper than a knife. That was a fairly quick repair, with just a few stitches, which is far less than Nate Quarry required after a bout with Jorge Rivera at UFC Fight Night 21. After losing by TKO, Quarry actually had to endure full facial reconstructive surgery to repair his broken nose and four facial fractures.
If you haven't seen the photo of Corey Hill's leg during the UFC Fight for the Troops Show back in 2008, then you really aren't much of an MMA fan. Just minutes into the fight, Hill kicks opponent Dale Hart and Hart blocks the kick with his knee, breaking Hill's leg. That doesn't sound horrific, but the photos showcase Hill's leg practically dangling off to the side, the break was so thorough. Hill took some time off to heal, but returned to fighting in 2010.
While the aforementioned injuries do occur, there are ways to limit injuries in general. Obviously you can't prevent every injury, but the stronger you are both mentally and physically, the less likely you will be to suffer from problems. Avoiding excessive weight cuts can protect your muscles from deteriorating, and proper stretching before bouts can protect your shoulders and neck from serious injury.
Your body cannot function at its best unless you have a proper diet, so it is important to really consider what you eat and drink. You need a nutrition plan that keeps your body, especially your muscles and bones, strong and healthy, so don't neglect your diet. It is a huge part of your fight game plan. The more agile and flexible you become, the less likely you will risk serious injury. Be sure to come up with a fighting style that helps you easily compensate for any type of opponent. If you are stronger, more agile and faster than your opponents, your risk of injury will go down.
While fans don't really wish to see fighters hurt, there is undeniably a fascination with the unique injuries inflicted on MMA fighters. Perhaps even more impressive than the injuries themselves is the defiance of the fighters to succumb to these injuries. Case in point would be a match between Gabriel Gonzaga and Randy Couture during UFC 74 in 2007. During the third round, Gonzaga snaps Couture's left ulna with a sharp kick, yet Couture just shifts his energy to his uninjured arm and ends up throwing Gonzaga down and punching him until the fights ends via TKO.
Frank Shamrock has had a long career in mixed martial arts and has broken many bones along the way, although usually they tend to be the bones of his opponents. During a Pancrase fight in 1995, Shamrock tore his opponent's ankle so badly it was ripped from its tendons. The opponent, Allan Goes, still managed to fight it out, and the bout was declared a draw. In 1998, Shamrock ended his opponent Igor Zinoviev's career with a particularly vicious throw to the ground. The impact knocked Zinoviev unconscious and his collarbone was shattered. Of course, it cannot always work out in Shamrock's favor; his ulna was broken during a 2008 bout against Cung Le.
Mixed martial arts is known for bloody bouts, and as we all know, head wounds do tend to gush. Rarely is there a fight without at least a little blood, as that is just a consequence of this type of fighting. Some cuts are worse than others, such as the sliced open face of Joe Stevenson during UFC 80 after BJ Penn hit him with an elbow sharper than a knife. That was a fairly quick repair, with just a few stitches, which is far less than Nate Quarry required after a bout with Jorge Rivera at UFC Fight Night 21. After losing by TKO, Quarry actually had to endure full facial reconstructive surgery to repair his broken nose and four facial fractures.
If you haven't seen the photo of Corey Hill's leg during the UFC Fight for the Troops Show back in 2008, then you really aren't much of an MMA fan. Just minutes into the fight, Hill kicks opponent Dale Hart and Hart blocks the kick with his knee, breaking Hill's leg. That doesn't sound horrific, but the photos showcase Hill's leg practically dangling off to the side, the break was so thorough. Hill took some time off to heal, but returned to fighting in 2010.
While the aforementioned injuries do occur, there are ways to limit injuries in general. Obviously you can't prevent every injury, but the stronger you are both mentally and physically, the less likely you will be to suffer from problems. Avoiding excessive weight cuts can protect your muscles from deteriorating, and proper stretching before bouts can protect your shoulders and neck from serious injury.
Your body cannot function at its best unless you have a proper diet, so it is important to really consider what you eat and drink. You need a nutrition plan that keeps your body, especially your muscles and bones, strong and healthy, so don't neglect your diet. It is a huge part of your fight game plan. The more agile and flexible you become, the less likely you will risk serious injury. Be sure to come up with a fighting style that helps you easily compensate for any type of opponent. If you are stronger, more agile and faster than your opponents, your risk of injury will go down.
About the Author:
Nolan Barias loves blogging about mixed martial arts benefits. For more information about mixed martial arts lessons in San Diego or to find local coaches teaching jiu jitsu lessons in San Diego, please go to The Arena MMA website today.
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