This is really a problem in the professional world, and at a lesser extent in some high-end amateur setups, mainly when some competitors want to become pros or if there is some animosity between gyms/people.
They cut weight, have good technique and power, and the stakes sometimes are very high. This is dangerous.
Cutting weight reduces the amount of water in the body => the brain bounces on the skull at a greater speed => more kinetic energy => major risk (hemorrhage...).
Many sports are much more dangerous than commonly thought. Each and every friend who practiced judo or BJJ developed serious joints problems, or even major hips-related ordeals. Comparing football and MMA leads to surprising observations: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2830774-football-vs-mma-...
My take: do not compete (and do not aim at becoming a professional!), avoid any gym where hard sparring is mandatory, or where the trainers don't closely monitor the sparring sessions or don't immediately break anything getting out-of-hands. There is some residual risk, but IMHO probably no higher than walking down the streets, and the gains are worth it.
This is a really fascinating perspective, and contains info that I hadn't come across previously. Thanks for sharing; I'm excited to read a bit more about these points.
They cut weight, have good technique and power, and the stakes sometimes are very high. This is dangerous.
Cutting weight reduces the amount of water in the body => the brain bounces on the skull at a greater speed => more kinetic energy => major risk (hemorrhage...).
Many sports are much more dangerous than commonly thought. Each and every friend who practiced judo or BJJ developed serious joints problems, or even major hips-related ordeals. Comparing football and MMA leads to surprising observations: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2830774-football-vs-mma-...
My take: do not compete (and do not aim at becoming a professional!), avoid any gym where hard sparring is mandatory, or where the trainers don't closely monitor the sparring sessions or don't immediately break anything getting out-of-hands. There is some residual risk, but IMHO probably no higher than walking down the streets, and the gains are worth it.