‘Risk of paralysis and death’… Doctor warns Tai Tuivasa’s league is more dangerous than Power Slap
Tai Tuivasa’s new and controversial sport has been condemned by a sports medicine doctor.
The UFC heavyweight is promoting ‘Run It Straight’, a sport that sees two athletes crash into each other at full speed without headgear or padding.
Fans spoke out against the UFC star for promoting the viral combat sport that could be deadly.
Now, Dr. Brian Sutterer has explained why Tai Tuivasa‘s Run Nation Championship is ‘so much worse’ than slap fighting.
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Run It Straight is more dangerous than slap fighting
Brian Sutterer has been very outspoken about his dislike of the dangerous sport of slap fighting.
So, you know it’s serious when the sports medicine doctor says something else has way more health risks.
“This is so much worse than slap fighting,” Sutterer said about Run It Straight on his YouTube channel.
“I have been extremely critical of slap fighting. I think slap fighting is a joke. I think it’s unnecessary danger. I don’t think it should exist as a sanctioned sport… but this takes it to a whole new level.
“The reason this is so much worse than slap fighting is because this puts you at serious risk of spinal cord injuries [and] paralysis. In my opinion, more potential for something terrible like death.
“I think this is something that is completely dangerous and nonsense. In my opinion, as a sports medicine doctor, I do not think this should be happening. I do not think any regulating bodies in Australia should be permitting this. I hope and pray that it gets shut down as soon as possible.
“This is why I think it’s so much worse than slap fighting. Slap fighting, you slap somebody, but I guess the worst thing that is going to happen is a concussion. Now, that’s bad. I’m not trying to minimize that, but that’s very different than paralysis, a spinal cord injury, and potentially death.”
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Tai Tuivasa’s fall from grace
When he’s not promoting the Run Nation Championship, Tai Tuivasa is fighting for the UFC.
The Australian fan favorite won five straight fights to put himself on the cusp of a heavyweight title shot in 2022.
Four years later, Tuivasa appears to be done at the top level after losing six consecutive fights in the Octagon.
Fans begged Tuivasa to retire after his ‘pathetic’ performance at UFC 325 earlier this month.
As of the time of writing, the 32-year-old remains an active fighter on the UFC heavyweight roster.
It’s unclear if he plans to fight again or whether he will be given another chance to get back on track in MMA’s premier promotion.