Abstract
Modern Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), popularized globally by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) since 1993, initially faced significant concerns regarding fighter safety but improved considerably following the introduction of comprehensive regulatory measures. Despite these enhancements, MMA continues to carry substantial risk, particularly evident in bouts concluded by referee or medical stoppages. These stoppages are critical safety mechanisms protecting fighters and providing valuable insights into injury trends. This study specifically investigates MMA bouts stopped by ringside physicians due to medical concerns or observed injuries, emphasizing potential differences in these stoppages between male and female fighters. The methods involved the analysis of data from 9,792 UFC fighters ranging from 2012–2021, analyzing variables including, age, height, weight, gender, and specific fight outcomes. Statistical analyses, including Chi-square and T-tests were used to compare the proportion of fight stoppages based on sex and assessed differences in TKO ringside physician stoppage. Significance was set at a p-value less than 0.05. Results revealed that physician stoppages accounted for only 1.09% of all fights, with significantly higher rates in male fighters (4.19%) compared to female fighters (0.98%; p < 0.001). The study's conclusions highlight the rarity of physician stoppages overall, while emphasizing significant gender-based differences in their occurrence.
Recommended Citation
Suarez A, Braun J, Peacock C, Sanders GJ. Analysis of Ringside Physician Stoppages in Professional Mixed Martial Arts.. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. 2025 Jul 28;23(3), Article 21.
