The “Danacare” Effect
By: Jon Hunsicker
It seems lately that there are a lot of fighters getting injured before a big fight, at least more than there were a year ago.
I have been noticing recently an increased amount of fighters coming up injured prior to a difficult match. Is it simply over training, training carelessly or is there some other factor?
Ok, that all sounds great but what could be the down side of this? If you go back to 2010, there were 54 injuries over 24 events. (2.25 per event) Jump to 2012, we are looking at about 90 injuries for about 30 events. Currently there are 53 fighters unable to fight and that is just for the beginning of this year. Granted, some of these 53 fighters are suspensions, but a lot are short and long term injuries. These injury statistics have climbed dramatically since this new healthcare plan has gone into effect and while it may just be less fighters fighting while injured, which of course is a good thing, it could also be abused. Tempting fighters to see a tough fight coming up and gently dislocate a finger, or something of the sort and soak up the sweet insurance benefits while skirting a potential career changing fight.
Now, I am not shouting “conspiracy theory” here. I am just curious. I know there will be injuries after a fight, that is the nature of combat sports, but the amount of fighters injured BEFORE the fights… How many fights in the last year have been changed, swapped or completely canceled from pre fight training accidents? I have found charts, graphs and lists and I am still unsure. It is a bunch, including more than one entire event!
Take what you will from this. I am not wanting to point fingers or say that these guys are taking the easy way out of their fights. I just know, as a fan, there have been some really good match ups and then all of a sudden, Fuzzy McLaynpray is out with a tweaked pinky toe and some tomato can takes his place. It is irritating.
Let me know what your opinion of this situation is. Are some of these guys taking advantage or is it just a better healthcare system that helps keep the athletes safe?
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