Nutrition in Combat Sports

174 M. Goodman and E. Homansky
11.1 Assessment of the Professional Athlete
A license to fight professionally is not a right: it is a legal privilege. Although this
may seem obvious, it is the crux of determining whether fighters should be
granted a license in addition to proving their fitness and capability. There is more
to determining if a fighter should be allowed to compete other than passing a
series of medical tests. Often, when a fighter has reached the point when they will
no longer pass testing, chronic problems have begun, and denying a license will
save further punishment, but do nothing to prevent it. Retirement is discussed at
the end of this chapter, although many professional fighters receiving a license
should have long retired. Denying licensure can become a daunting task accompanied
by a fighter and his team of lawyers when the physician is only trying to
do the right thing.
Ring physicians and trainers must familiarize themselves with commission regulations
and statutes for licensure, as turning a blind eye to the situation will perpetuate
the problem. Requirements such as age are fairly standard, but there are
exceptions. Typically, a fighter cannot turn professional before age 18, but an athlete
can petition to have his case heard to fighter at 17. You should be wary of
fighters turning professional in their 30s or 40s, especially if they have had no
amateur experience.
Table 11.1 lists the recommended minimum medical requirements for competition.
These differ greatly between commissions, should be addressed by members of the
commission’s medical advisory board, and include input from ring physicians who
have the opportunity to directly witness the performance of a given fighter. Criteria
should change for fighters with advancing age, or “ring age” (individuals that are
showing signs of chronic punishment). It is important to review the fighter’s history,
and identify which fighters are at increased risk. If a physician neglects informing
their commission regarding fighters that should consider retirement or undergo
additional examinations, he is neglecting an important part of his duties. However,
in the professional ranks, this happens all too frequently.
Physicians should acquaint themselves with the athletes. This may not seem a
part of the job, but this process will enable one to make an informed decision during
a fight. At the end of this chapter are resources and web sites containing athlete
statistics and background.
Table 11.1 Recommended minimum medical requirements
CT/MRI scan – baseline
Dilated eye exam by ophthalmologist – yearly
Hepatitis B/C and HIV – every 180 days
EKG – baseline (unless abnormal)
Complete history and physical – yearly
Prefight physical by ring physician – at weigh-in and before fight
Serum pregnancy test – 14 days prior to contest