By Nicholas Bailey (nbailey@mmaratings.net)
As should be apparent by now, the Zuffa-sanctioned story to fill the several weeks between major MMA events is the endless discussion of the potential retirement of a fighter that is obviously no longer relevant in a sporting sense. With the full push of the Zuffa machine, the end of Chuck’s career has become a story that has received far more attention than his inevitable return fight will. Last week, the irrepressible Dr. Johnny Benjamin joined this mindless cacophony, offering up his own two cents. Inflation being what it is today, his contribution turned out to be completely worthless.
When I first saw that mmajunkie was going to have a bona-fide doctor writing columns for them, I was excited, thinking that such a man of science could bring the kind of sober and informed analysis that raises the bar for MMA punditry. Sadly, the endlessly self-promoting Dr. Benjamin has instead produced a string of articles filled with facile and silly arguments bookended by condescending insistence that, as a doctor, he knows best. His effort last week is no exception.
Last week, the good doctor makes the argument that Chuck should retire. This is perfectly reasonable. Chuck has looked slow and old in his last fights, and his chin has deteriorated to the point where being slower than before, when he has always been quite hittable, means anyone that can crack is going to put him down and out. Sad to see you go, Chuck, but you’re done.
However, Dr. Benjamin does not make this point, instead, using his acutely developed skills as a doctor, he makes the absurd assertion that Chuck Liddell’s brain will explode if he gets popped in the face again. This isn’t based on any medical evidence specific to Chuck, but instead just some vague references to the damage of repeated concussions and a sob story about a boxer who has had his brains scrambled. This isn’t the first time Benjamin has published this kind of “we’re all gonna die” garbage with no support, either.
Chuck Liddell has lost five fights via TKO. In two of those fights (his first tilts with Rampage and Couture) he received sustained, vicious beatings, although his career continued unhindered after them, and only in his defeat to Rashad Evans was he knocked out cold. Meldrick Taylor, the boxer that has been so obviously destroyed by his sport, has only been stopped four times in his career. This comparison says far more about the differences between boxing and MMA than it does about the danger to Chuck’s health.
It’s condescending in the extreme to act as if MMA fans are unaware of the potential for life-altering brain injury from repeated concussions, but it’s simply irresponsible to wildly bandy about warnings for specific fighters with no substantiation. I am aware of no evidence, and Dr. Benjamin has certainly not provided any, that Chuck has accumulated an unacceptable amount of damage and is taking any more risk than any other fighter when he steps into the cage.
Lastly, why single out Chuck? If five TKO’s, none of them exceptional by MMA standards mean Chuck is teetering on the verge of death, Perhaps Dr. Benjamin should also leap to the rescue of Wanderlei Silva, who had a mild seizure last time he was knocked out. Certainly we must draw the curtain on Alistair Overeem’s long-finished career, as, despite all evidence that he is a healthy, monstrous young athlete, his 6 stoppage losses in MMA (with two more in K-1 kickboxing) mean he is clearly only one punch away from spending the rest of his days matching wits with the applesauce he won’t be able to feed himself. Rich Franklin and Shinya Aoki should hang it up the next time they are TKO’d, so they can still tie his own shoes. The list goes on.
Dr. Benjamin, MMA fans are, by and large, grown adults. Please talk to us like we are. We don’t want your pediatrician-style condescension, your sugar-free lollipops of unwisdom, or your preposterously-reasoned medical interventions for fighter safety. If you must “do no harm” and save a fighter from themselves, please start with Gary Goodridge, a man obviously no longer in full possession of his faculties, for whom even X-arm is likely an unacceptable risk.
The problem is not that it’s obnoxious. There are an infinite supply of obnoxious figures in the MMA universe. The veneer of respectability laquered on by Benjamin’s bona fides, his position at a legitimate and respectable MMA outlet, and the credulous nature of many in MMA fandom combine to give his arguments undeserved life and staying power, hurting the sport. If the idea that Chuck Liddell (or any fighter with a handfull of TKO losses) is staggering to his own death next time he straps on four-ounce gloves takes root, how can we expect New York to sanction the sport? Never underestimate the potential damage of elevating a hack to a position of responsibility.
Update:
There may be life in the doc yet. His latest article is well-written and informative, and provides exactly the sort of information that was so missing in his discussion of Chuck Liddell.
If he keeps this up, I’ll have to retract my criticisms!
Of course, the “expert” in any case will blow air out his ass to get himself attention, which reinforces his “expert” status. See Behe, Dr. Michael, Kitzmiller vs. Dover.
"Lastly, why single out Chuck?"
I'm guessing the same reason you wrote about the doctor – because it's timely. Not to menion it was a Q&A where a reader asked him what he thought specifically about Chuck. If the person asked him about Coleman, Goodridge, or guys like that, he probably wouldve said the same thing.
Anyway I don't think I understand the hate in this case. The doc's entitled to his opinion like you're entitled to yours. I read his columns, and like them alot. But I also know that it' one man's opinion and I don't jump to conclusions that he's malicious and trying to pick on people – kinda like you're doing to the doctor. Coulda just stated your case but you chose to include a bunch of snide personal insults that really make me question your intentions. Your case would have been a lot stronger if you left the petty name calling out.
Somehow you missed the part about using his bully pulpit to lend credibility to the idea that fighters should stop after a couple KOs. As well as the part where he cited earlier examples of the Dr’s bad points. And the Dr. angling for a Medical Directorship or whatever. But whatever, yeah, it’s just “hate”. Perhaps you should actually read what you’re commenting on?
Nicholas Bailey, I actually had to go back to the top of your article and view your name.
I don’t mean to mock you or berate you for your views, you are entitled to them. I am not a medical expert so I can only go by what I’ve read and to a lessor degree, what I’ve witnessed.
As an example of how the medical community feels about head injuries, looking at the NHL is an interesting case study. Hockey players periodically get knocked unconcious and when this happens, it is viewed very differently from when it happens in MMA. Hockey players that suffer a concusion are under a microscope. During their recovery they always discuss their headaches, how long they last, if they are able to exercise without headaches etc. If they have received 2 concussions, they are asked by the media “what is the difference in your recovery compared to the last concussion?”. In MMA, concussions are completely swept under the carpet, the media is complicit in this ignoring of potential health risks. You never see an MMA blogger/writer talking about the health risks that are so well documented in other high profile sports. Hockey player retire in their 20’s if they’ve received 3 concussions but in MMA, it’s like “oh he was KO’d” like it’s the same as a submission loss. Doctors, not just Johnny Benjamin will all tell you the same thing, these tramatic, concussive brain injuries are potentially life threatening or life altering actions.
I’m not sure where you get your information suggesting that these concussions less significant than Dr. Benjamin suggests but I suggest you research this before you write an article like this.
Mr. Nepal. My argument is not that concussions are nothing to be concerned over. It’s that Dr. Benjamin’s concerns, as expressed and supported, are ridiculous.
If he really believes that Chuck is one jab away from this level of injury, I can’t see how he would accept, say, Alistair Overeem ever fighting again.
If Benjamin really believes that a couple concussions are this dangerous, I don’t see how he supports MMA at all, and he should instead be picketing the sport and asking for its ouster from society.
Do you see my point? Yes, repeated concussions are something to be concerned about, but why the concern from Dr. Benjamin for Chuck specifically but not other fighters?
The man’s job is to bring sound medical opinion to the masses, and instead he simply talks about what is possible in a general case, and fearmongers.
Also, I am not NickHavok or whoever. I comment on mmajunkie as “thehumungus”.
Humungus,
It’s hard to quickly respond to this. In my opinion Nicholas’ article was way way over the top. It seemed more like a juvinile hatchet job on Dr. Benjamen rather than trying to get at any saleint point.
My above response did focus specifically on the issues with head injury and I realize you are not debating that, rather you are just pointing out that Dr. B was ridiculous, fearmongering and improperly specifying Chuck as opposed to the many other fighters that have taken serious head injuries.
The Melvin story is horrible and is clearly a worst case scenario but there are so many fighters (mostly boxers edit: all boxers) with mental issues from these repeated concussions. Dr. B focused on Chuck I believe simply because it was topical. With the Dana and Hackleman back and forths, it wasn’t unreasonable for the Dr to weigh in. After all that is his function at MMA Junkie so I find it difficult to fault him for that. It is also true that Wandy, Overeem and many others have taken brutal beatings and suffered potentially life altering KO’s (if I may be a little dramatic) but that wasn’t the “topic of the day”. Chuck was.
Further you say it is just a general case rather than specific to Chuck. That’s true but you can’t open Chuck’s head to get a clear medically specific picture of his situation. You can only go by what medical evidence provides us and that is that each concussion received increases your likelyhood of getting another concussion and increases the risk. Chuck’s had a few of them and his risk is increasing. I really wish there would be more input on concussions from the media. As I mentioned previously, it’s so swept under the carpet as compared to the visibility in hockey that people simply don’t know the risks associated with these concussions.
Honestly speaking you wonder something that I do too. Why would Dr. B support MMA given what we know? I know the guy’s been a boxing fan for his whole life so maybe he’s closing his eyes to it, I really don’t know. I love MMA and watch every event religiously but some of these guys are going to be in trouble later in life. MMA is too new to have a clear picture of what these guys will be like 20, 30, 40 years down the road.
Anyway, I’m digressing. I think I could type for an hour on the subject but I’ll leave it at this for now.
Nepal, you’re exactly right.
Dr. Benjamin cites general studies, but then says that based on his analysis of this general information, he can say, as a doctor, that the risk to Chuck is unacceptably high.
I think that’s irresponsible because I don’t think he really believes that, since the risk to many of the veteran fighters in the UFC would be similarly high, yet he supports the sport generally.
My criticism of the doctor is not limited to this article, of course. I feel this is merely the latest in a pattern of similar behavior of saying outlandish things with little support or serious thought.
Nepal,
I have to disagree with “You never see an MMA blogger/writer talking about the health risks that are so well documented in other high profile sports.”
Check out Katrina Belchar’s work, specifically:
http://blog.mmaratings.net/2009/03/knocked-out-or-just-poor-refing.html
Humungus,
It's hard to quickly respond to this. In my opinion Nicholas' article was way way over the top. It seemed more like a juvinile hatchet job on Dr. Benjamen rather than trying to get at any saleint point.
My above response did focus specifically on the issues with head injury and I realize you are not debating that, rather you are just pointing out that Dr. B was ridiculous, fearmongering and improperly specifying Chuck as opposed to the many other fighters that have taken serious head injuries.
The Melvin story is horrible and is clearly a worst case scenario but there are so many fighters (mostly boxers edit: all boxers) with mental issues from these repeated concussions. Dr. B focused on Chuck I believe simply because it was topical. With the Dana and Hackleman back and forths, it wasn't unreasonable for the Dr to weigh in. After all that is his function at MMA Junkie so I find it difficult to fault him for that. It is also true that Wandy, Overeem and many others have taken brutal beatings and suffered potentially life altering KO's (if I may be a little dramatic) but that wasn't the "topic of the day". Chuck was.
Further you say it is just a general case rather than specific to Chuck. That's true but you can't open Chuck's head to get a clear medically specific picture of his situation. You can only go by what medical evidence provides us and that is that each concussion received increases your likelyhood of getting another concussion and increases the risk. Chuck's had a few of them and his risk is increasing. I really wish there would be more input on concussions from the media. As I mentioned previously, it's so swept under the carpet as compared to the visibility in hockey that people simply don't know the risks associated with these concussions.
Honestly speaking you wonder something that I do too. Why would Dr. B support MMA given what we know? I know the guy's been a boxing fan for his whole life so maybe he's closing his eyes to it, I really don't know. I love MMA and watch every event religiously but some of these guys are going to be in trouble later in life. MMA is too new to have a clear picture of what these guys will be like 20, 30, 40 years down the road.
Anyway, I'm digressing. I think I could type for an hour on the subject but I'll leave it at this for now.
"Lastly, why single out Chuck?"
I'm guessing the same reason you wrote about the doctor – because it's timely. Not to menion it was a Q&A where a reader asked him what he thought specifically about Chuck. If the person asked him about Coleman, Goodridge, or guys like that, he probably wouldve said the same thing.
Anyway I don't think I understand the hate in this case. The doc's entitled to his opinion like you're entitled to yours. I read his columns, and like them alot. But I also know that it' one man's opinion and I don't jump to conclusions that he's malicious and trying to pick on people – kinda like you're doing to the doctor. Coulda just stated your case but you chose to include a bunch of snide personal insults that really make me question your intentions. Your case would have been a lot stronger if you left the petty name calling out.