UFC Unveils Extension, $1M Contribution To Brain Health Study

The UFC today announced a $1M contribution and a five-year extension of its commitment to the Cleveland Clinic in support of the Professional Fighters Brain Health Study. “Research and awareness are key in setting new standards for athlete health and safety,” UFC COO Ike Lawrence Epstein said in a statement. “UFC is always looking for opportunities to invest in industry-leading health and wellness programs and providing resources to develop its athletes inside and outside the Octagon.”

Established in '11, the Professional Fighters Brain Health study is focused on developing methods to detect the earliest and most subtle signs of brain injury in athletes exposed to head trauma, as well as determining which individuals may be more likely to develop chronic neurological disorders. The study is now in its fifth year and has enrolled almost 600 active and retired athletes.