MMA Fighter Nearly Suffers Fatality in Title Fight

Mixed martial arts fighting isn’t easy on the human body. The pounding of fists, feet, knees, and elbows from one opponent to another leads to concerns about brain trauma. Among the visually frightening offensive moves are common chokes. Ironically, chokes don’t concern many fighters since tapping out, or referee stoppages end fights immediately. Once the fight ends, a choke is released. At least such an ending is how things should occur. A recent match held in Brazil almost ended tragically when the referee did not stop a match even though a fighter passed out from a tight “Anaconda” choke. The bout nearly ended in a fatality.

Rafael Barbosa battled Melquizael Costa for three rounds. The two fought furiously since the match involved the promotion’s featherweight title. At one point, Barbosa locked in a choke on Costa. Costa did not tap out to signal surrender and defeat. Costa passed out, but the referee did not stop the fight. Costa remained locked in the choke for a full 90 seconds before Barbosa released the submission on his own.

The referee wasn’t the only individual blamed for the nearly tragic mishap. Costa’s team kept telling him to fight even though he was unconscious. The team had the option to throw in the towel. Thankfully, Barbosa responded professionally and with sportsmanship avoiding a tragic outcome.

Still, the referee should follow procedure when a fighter appears passed out. Touching a combatant to determine if he/she has gone unconscious is one crucial step a ref should take. The action did not occur during the bout.

Life-threatening situations in mixed martial arts are rare. As this fight proves, the risk of injury or worse always looms. Would-be and experienced fighters should keep this in mind. No one in the fight game wants to see another incident like this one.