Nutrition in Combat Sports

180 M. Goodman and E. Homansky
and the fighter’s vision is not impaired, the fight may continue as long as the athlete
is protecting himself. Under these circumstances the edema can actually protect the
eye. Each case must be handled individually, as there is no single hard-and-fast
rule. Obviously, if there is an orbital fracture, the contest must stop to avoid entrapment.
Many fighters occasionally train with an eye patch to guard against their
contest stopping from a closed eye.
11.5.1 Lacerations
It is rare to have a fight card without at least one laceration. A fight must be stopped
on a cut for the following: (1) the fighter is at an unfair disadvantage should the
fight continue; (2) allowing the fight to continue could cause significant irreparable
harm to the fighter; or (3) the fighter is losing most of the rounds and taking too
much punishment irrespective of the cut.
If the laceration occurs in the last round or two of a championship bout, and the
fighter is not otherwise hurt, the ring physician should provide the fighter every
opportunity to continue. On the other hand, if you have a young athlete in a fourrounder
with a huge gash, the ring physician should intervene. Lacerations means
time off from training, and the last thing an up and coming fighter needs is months
away from the gym.
The following is a list of bleeding sites of concern:
1. All cuts near the eye. If inside the orbital rim this type of laceration can:
(a) Affect the eye muscles or nerves resulting in a ptosis (lid droop).
(b) Limit extraocular movement.
(c) Affect the tear duct.
2. “Pumper” or arterial bleeder. These are difficult to stop during a fight, and typically
require a stoppage even in mixed martial arts with the fighters on the ground.
3. Vermillion border. Cuts on the colored part of the lip are tough to repair, and can
result in significant scarring and cosmetic difficulties.
4. Inside the mouth. Swallowing or inhaled blood can cause vomiting or choking.
5. Edge of the eyelid (near the lashes) or the upper or lower lid. These are rare, but could
require immediate surgery, and if the fight continued could result in blindness.
6. Other deep lacerations or butt cuts. Forehead or scalp (not too close to the brow), cuts
across the nose (unless fractured), and cuts on the cheek (unless through and through)
may bleed for a while, but can be controlled and are typically not dangerous.
The key to treatment, especially during a fight is pressure, time, and cold. The cornermen
must begin treatment immediately at the sound of the 1-min rest period. An ice-cold
Enswell (flat piece of metal) applied with direct firm pressure to a laceration may
work wonders. The Enswell is not to be used to push swelling away, as this exacerbates
tissue damage. Many cutmen still do not understand this concept, and use the Enswell
as a weapon. Vaseline makes the skin slippery and reduces tearing of the skin.