The UFC and the California State Athletic Commission have partnered to administer C3 Logix neurological testing to all regulated MMA events in the state, starting with Saturday’s UFC on FOX 22: VanZant vs. Waterson.
C3 Logix neurological testing is sort of like a 20-minute sobriety test administered via an iPad, that sets a baseline for each fighter. As the brain rights itself from trauma, protocols are in place for a return to contact based the return of regular brain function. And if there is a decline over time significantly in excess of what would be expected due to aging, that is important information for a fighter and his or her camp to have in making a decision about whether to retire.
Further, if a fighter takes significant head shots, ringside physicians will order post-fight C3 testing, which will serve to better inform the appropriate length of a suspension.
This new C3 protocol gives us baseline objective and measurable data on a fighter before a fight and can be given to the fighter after a bout to see if they are hurt. They can ask for another test to compare, said UFC vice president of athlete health and performance Jeff Novitzky to Mark Billingsley for the Sacramento Bee. The feedback from the first fighters tested (Tuesday) has been great.
The testing will be an annual process for UFC fighters, eventually. As people age they decline naturally in neurocognition. But we want to see if fighters decline quicker and, if so, how and why?
In time, the testing will be a requirement for licensing in California, according to CSAC executive officer Andy Foster. Right now only California and Nevada are using C3 testing, but according to Foster, UFC on FOX 22 will be the first step in a long road to getting all 50 states to do C3 testing.
The commission doesn’t have eyes in every gym in the state and many fighters go back into the gym and spar even though they may be on a medical suspension, said Foster. Hopefully, they can use the C3 tests to see if they are hurt and hopefully the trainers will see the information and they’ll uphold the suspensions.
Given how little is understood about brain trauma in MMA, and the tremendous toll it can take, Foster and Novitzky are taking the sport forward in a desperately needed direction.
