5 Common MMA Injuries and How to Avoid Them

Mixed martial arts is an amazing sport, but it does come with some risks. As an MMA fighter you are in constant danger of injury to your head, neck, spine and limbs.

While the risk of serious injuries is low for a cerebral athlete, there are still many common injuries that can sideline fighters for weeks or even months at time.

Knowing what these injuries are and how to avoid them will help keep you safe in the ring. So let’s take a look at 5 of the most common MMA injuries and how to keep yourself safe!

Disclaimer: This article was published for entertainment and educational purposes. It should not be used as personal or professional or medical advice. Please consult your doctor before deciding to engage in any new exercise activities or nutritional regimen. Take care!

What are the worst injuries in MMA?

The worst injuries in MMA usually involve the head and neck area. This is where concussion, laceration, bone fractures and nerve damage can occur.

Nasty injuries can also occur to the limbs, such as broken ankles, shins, and arms, and badly damaged knees such as ACL tears.

Let’s take a closer look at each five of the most common MMA injuries.

Concussions

Concussions are a common injury in MMA and can occur even if a fighter isn’t knocked out. Georges St-Pierre suffered a concussion early in his title fight against Johnny Hendricks, and went on to win the 5-round bout by decision.

While concussions can be nasty in the short term, the true danger of them comes from cumulative damage over time. Even if you never notice bad head injuries, the effects of concussive force on the brain can build up over days, months, and years.

A fighter who isn’t careful can potentially build up to a traumatic brain injury over the course of their career.

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Lacerations (cuts)

Cuts to the head and face are a common injury in MMA, due to the use of elbow and knee strikes. Lacerations can even open up during grappling exchanges or an accidental head-on-head collision.

While the fighters do wear Vaseline on their faces to help reduce the likelihood of cuts, they still happen frequently. Depending on the severity and location of the cut, they can potentially result in a TKO (technical knockout).

Broken and fractured bones

Broken bones are common in MMA, but are usually minor. Broken noses are not unusual, as are broken orbital bones and hands.

Some of the nastier breaks in MMA occur to the ankles and lower legs as a result of heavy low kicks that get checked shin-to-shin. The famous example from the UFC is Anderson Silva snapping his shin against Chris Weidman’s in their second matchup.

Damaged ligaments and tendons

Tears to the body’s soft tissues can happen all at once or gradually over time. One of the most common and feared knee injuries in MMA is a torn ACL. The ACL tendon is an important ligament that helps stabilize the knee.

Many fighters have suffered tears that require surgery, and often as not the tear happens during training or some mundane activity as a result of some prior event in a fight or sparring.

Neck injuries are also one of the worst types of injury. Even if it’s just a badly strained muscle in the shoulder, if your neck is impacted it will be difficult to focus on training.

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How do UFC fighters not get a serious injury in every fight?

It is a testament to the toughness and skill of the fighters that they are able to battle for 15+ minutes without being seriously damaged or knocked out. However, the truth is that even if no major injuries occur during the fight, there is usually a toll of cumulative damage paid by their bodies.

Also, even if fighters don’t show it, it’s unlikely that two people can fight for 15-25 minutes without at least one succumbing to injury. However fighters are notorious for toughing through minor injuries and concealing any weaknesses in the days leading up to their bouts.

How to Minimize Injuries in MMA and Fighting Sports

While there will always be a risk of injury, you can minimize your risk by fighting and training smart. Don’t start working out without a good warmup, and don’t spar or fight recklessly.

I’d like to say that using a strong strategy can help you avoid injury, but this isn’t always the case. Dominick Cruz is an example of an extremely smart and strategic fighter who dealt with many injuries over the course of his career.

That said, he might have suffered even more injuries if he had rushed into his fights headfirst with no plan or strategy.

One of the best ways to reduce the likelihood of severe injury is to regularly consult with a doctor who is accustomed to working with fighters, and possibly specialists such as physiotherapists. These professionals may provide insights that could help you avoid cumulative injuries.

Remember; while fighting hurts, that doesn’t mean you should have chronic pain. If your body tells you something is wrong, get it checked out!

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Frequently Asked Questions About MMA Injuries

Here are some FAQs about MMA related injuries.

What are the five most common types of injuries in MMA?

According to a study conducted on athletes in Korea, the five most common MMA injury types are lacerations, concussions, contusions, fractures, and strains. 

Why does it take so long for injuries to heal?

MMA fighters are famous for pushing themselves to their limits, so it’s understandable that some of them fail to take the time off required for proper recovery. If an injury reoccurs or is exacerbated, it can last much longer.

Are there any ways to prevent these injuries?

 Training and fighting smart, warming up properly, and using correct form during workouts can all contribute to lowering your chance of injury, however there is no way to avoid the risk in such a violent sport.