WATCH the webinar talk by SBG Cork General Manager and Irish Mixed Martial Arts Association medical lead Marlene Griffin, ‘Safe MMA from a Clubs & Coaches perspective’.
Marlene spoke at January’s informational webinar hosted by Safe MMA and the English Mixed Martial Arts Association, ‘Why Safe MMA?’. The talks were followed by open discussion about fighter medical safety and how Safe services can benefit organisations and fighters.
READ the full transcript below.
In a sport as demanding as MMA, the difference between safety and serious risk often comes down to preparation, regulation and the right medical protocols. That’s where Safe MMA plays a crucial role, protecting fighters, supporting clubs and ensuring the sport continues to grow with the highest safety standards.
My name is Marlene and along with my brother I’m co-owner of SBG Cork. I’m also the medical lead and event officer for the Irish Miss Martial Arts Association, IMMAA. My role revolves around ensuring the safety and well-being of athletes at every stage of their MMA journey. This means working closely with Safe MMA to ensure that fighters in our club meet all the medical requirements before competing and receive the care they need post-fight.
I act as a bridge between the athletes, their families and Safe MMA to ensure that the medical protocols are followed and fighters are supported both in and out of competition. Safe MMA collaborates with clubs across Ireland by providing a standardised framework for medical compliance. For us at SBG that involves:
• Ensuring that all fighters undergo mandatory medical assessments including a blood test, the medical form, eye tests and in amateurs we have this once-off MRI [note: the IMMAA standard in the Republic of Ireland ].
• Submitting medicals for clearance to Safe MMA and then it’s put on the Safe MMA database which promoters can access to confirm eligibility.
• Supporting the fighters with post-fight care including monitoring injuries and adhering to the medical suspensions.
• Educating athletes and their families on the importance of the safety protocols and medical compliance.
My work with Safe MMA ensures that fighters can focus on their training and performance knowing their health and safety are prioritised. There are many benefits to working with Safe MMA:
• Consistency and accountability.
• Safe MMA establishes clear medical and safety standards across the sport ensuring fairness and professionalism.
• Safe MMA gives us peace of mind for the fighter, the coach, the promoter so that they can trust that the proper safety measures are in place.
• By identifying potential medical issues early fighters avoid long-term medical risks.
• There’s that credibility. Safe MMA reinforces the legitimacy of MMA as a professional and regulated sport which is very important here in Ireland as we are looking for a government recognition of our sport.
There’s been so many times when Safe MMA have made a difference.
In Cork, here at SBG we run an MMA beginners’ program which literally takes the couch to cage under the name of ALTA. The age range of our contestants is very wide and the protocols set by Safe MMA for going through the medicals are really important because you might be dealing with somebody a little older.
We had one contestant who looked really really fit, never drank, never smoked, was running to the gym… really, really healthy looking, and when he went through the procedure it was found that he had an issue. He had actually a leaking valve with a clot. Parts of the clot had already broken away and given him a little mini stroke that he wasn’t aware of but there was a bigger clot there ready to go. He had surgery and thankfully now he owes his life to the protocols that were set doing MMA and having to go through this.
He would never have had highlighted anything to a doctor. There were no warnings there that a doctor would send him through these tests on a normal basis, but it was the case that his father had passed away with a similar thing at the same age as him. So, in that case it was thanks to the protocol and Safe MMA that we were able to make sure that this person got the right treatment to save their life.
In another instance, there’s that strict fight suspension preventing an athlete from competing too soon after a concussion allowing them the proper time to heal. Without the database that Safe MMA provides, then how are we to know if a fighter fought in one promotion and then a week later goes and tries to fight in another promotion. With the help of Safe MMA the database ensures that all of this is out there so that we can make sure that fighters comply with the health advice, which it is really important to keep reminding them of. It’s for the longevity of them in the sport as well as their own health and life.
Yes, some people question the cost and the perceived hassle of implementing Safe MMA protocols. My response is simple.
• The cost of implementing safety measures is minimal compared to the cost of neglecting fighter safety. These protocols protect not just the athletes but also the clubs, the coaches, the promoters from the risks associated with inadequate medical care. What cost does your life come at? It’s not about compliance.
• It’s about creating a sustainable future for our sport and protecting the individuals who make MMA what it is.
I recommend Safe MMA because it’s the foundation of fighter safety and professionalism in our sport. It ensures that every athlete stepping into the cage is physically prepared, supported and cared for both during and after competition.
Safe MMA is not just a system. It’s a commitment to doing what’s right for them, their families and the future of MMA. I highly recommend working with Yoni [Gottlieb, Safe MMA CEO] and his team because they are so professional, so helpful and they really, really do care and I care very much for them.
At the end of the day MMA is about skill, discipline and perseverance but none of that matters if we don’t put fighter safety first. Safe MMA isn’t just a regulation. It’s a responsibility and one that every club, coach and fighter should fully support.
