SAFE MMA - backed by BAMMA, CWFC and UCMMA

[ACER]

Why do Gyms need to pay if their fighters are covered individually? Cant see the benefit of that for the gym and yet another cost

19. WHAT ARETHE BENEFITS TO A GYM REGISTERING?
• Restricted access to its fighters’ medical records (where named by fighter as a representative)
• All hours results access plus urgent testing service for fighters
• 12 months Specialist Medical support for any infections or injury concerns for registered fighters
• 12 months Newsletter on latest advances in sport medicine and performance
• Positive manifestation of the support of medical safety within the sport
• Use of SAFE MMA branding at gym premises and stationary
• Attractive to fighters who are registered with, or looking to register with SAFE MMA

[jim2007]

Your GP does the blood tests and sends them to SAFE MMA

Thanks, that's 1 question answered. Only the foreign fighters that don't have bloods need to get that done at Harley Street then?

[jim2007]

• 12 months Newsletter on latest advances in sport medicine and performance
• Positive manifestation of the support of medical safety within the sport
• Use of SAFE MMA branding at gym premises and stationary
• Attractive to fighters who are registered with, or looking to register with SAFE MMA

Those are all pretty pointless though

[jim2007]

• 12 months Specialist Medical support for any infections or injury concerns for registered fighters

Support could mean anything?

[JohnJunior]

Hi Jim. I'll do my best to answer these:

Is this only for Pro UK fighters?

It says that you pay the GP and the GP pays the Company? Are all GP's aware of this arrangement?
Having an organisation backed by 76 Harley Street gives GPs the confidence in what is being asked of them. This is regard the medicals. Gps are not aware of the arrangement, but it is common for GPs to perform medicals for many reasons. SAFE MMA will priovide the guidelines for what they want assessed. These guidelines have been drawn up by the Harley Street Professors and Doctors.

Whilst it seems a good idea it kinda creates a 'them and 'us' mentality as potentially a Company like Cagewarriors/BAMMA/UCMMA will be paying the same price as a smaller regional show who may be struggling financially anyway. Most potentially would want to join but when you factor all the hassle in and the financial impact them most would decide to opt out.
Personally (not from SAFE MMA) I'm happy for a them and us situation if a promotion isnt willing to invest in the safety of their fighters which is potentially damaging to individuals and the sports as a whole. As someone who has trained and competed, i'd be much happier comepeting with fewer risks that could be potentially life threatening.

Arn't blood tests free through your GP if you have a concern or you say you had a one night stand? and if Promoters of smaller shows are providing Doctors and Paramedics on the night who carry out pre fight medicals and can advise post fight then that is covering the basics with little charge.
Formally, you have to pay for your blood tests. Some guys get them done at the sex disease clinic for free, butg having everything done at harley street ensures fair play, a level playing field and the highest level of professionalism. SAFE MMA has also secured the best prices available for the respective blood tests.
as for pre and post fight medicals...a promotion should be undertaking these anyway, otherwise you have to ask why not. the details of those assessments will be sent to SAFE MMA for thier analysis and entered into the confidential medical database. The cost of this process is included in the fees of the fighter and the promoter.

How or where do the blood tests occur? If it is London then what if I had to travel from Newcastle, Edinburgh or Glasgow to do that (another cost)
yes, in London. though I will check with the doctors to see if there is an alternative, but that alternative may incur charges too.

Why do Gyms need to pay if their fighters are covered individually? Cant see the benefit of that for the gym and yet another cost

SAFE MMA believe that there should be an accountable person for a fighter ie coach. SAFE MMA is a initiative to make the sport safer as a whole and we need the fighters, promoters and the gyms to be on board. there will be many benefits to gyms as listed on the site.

Hope that helps

[ACER]

Thanks, that's 1 question answered. Only the foreign fighters that don't have bloods need to get that done at Harley Street then?

No they just need to provide their passport and flight details or ID(To prove they aint from the UK) along with blood tests from their own GP

[JohnJunior]

Support could mean anything?

Support in that there is access to the leading authorities in sports and humna performance, that you would not normally have access to unless you paid a handsome fee. This support could be advice on preventative measures and management of blood infections for example. There will also be a lot of data and research to help with other related areas.

[CHRIS ZORBA]

Very positive day for UK MMA. I will be signing up for this immediately.

[Rosi]

This is a huge step forward, and one that many people thought would never happen in the UK. A lot of people have put a lot of work into making this happen - don't underestimate the challenges involved!

It's good for fighters, and will help the reputation of the sport as a whole.

As for costs - Safe MMA is non-profit, and accounts will be published and available to the public. Before my last fight, I paid £123 for blood tests (lab fee only) that were valid for 6 months. So it sounds pretty reasonable to me.

[manimal]

Sounds like a positive step forward.
Will the tests pick up on any brain injuries? I've read up on the dangers of multiple concussion on Google Scholar recently and it's pretty scary stuff