Could Poatan have suffered a serious injury? Understand the risks of blows to the back of the neck.

Alex Poatán after defeat in UFC 313 (Photo: Instagram/UFC Canada)

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The traumatic defeat of Alex Poatán for Cyril Gane in the co-main event of UFC White House It not only brought the expected sadness to the Brazilian public, but also drew attention to a major controversy. Having suffered alleged illegal blows to the back of the neck, the Pataxó Indian publicly expressed his outrage at referee Herb Dean's performance throughout the match.

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The American recently refuted the allegations, justifying the decision. In this context, what risks are posed by attacks in that region?

Strikes to the back of the head are prohibited under the unified rules of MMA due to the potential risk of serious injury to sensitive neurological structures located where the skull meets the cervical spine.

Attacks on the region could endanger the athlete's life.

Poatan injured after being knocked out by Gane in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/X/UFC

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The nape of the neck is located near the brainstem, which is responsible for vital functions such as breathing, heart rate, and level of consciousness. While not every attack in this area causes serious injuries, strong and repeated impacts can increase the risk of concussions, neurological damage, cervical injuries, loss of motor coordination, intense dizziness, and, in some cases, permanent sequelae.

In addition to the immediate risk of knockout or disorientation, blows to the back of the head can cause sudden acceleration and deceleration movements of the brain within the skull, resulting in traumatic brain injury. For this reason, referees are instructed to stop or warn athletes when they identify attacks to the area considered illegal under the rules.

Blows to the back of the neck have already caused irreversible damage in other fighters.

Many feel the guy who did this to Prichard Colon should get jaiI time, what do you think? pic.twitter.com/seO2YQQ7VC

— TaraBull (@TaraBull) August 4, 2024

Known as rabbit punches Outside of Brazil, attacks to the back of the head have been the subject of much discussion in the world of combat sports. The most notable incident occurred in October 2015, when Puerto Rican boxer Prichard Colón was repeatedly struck in the back of the head by Terrel Williams, who ultimately lost a point for the infractions.

In the final rounds, Colón began to show worrying signs. According to reports from the broadcast and family members, he said he was dizzy and had pain in the back of his head. After the fight, he had difficulty walking, vomited, and lost consciousness in the locker room. Rushed to the hospital, he was diagnosed with a brain hemorrhage and needed emergency surgery to relieve intracranial pressure.

The boxer remained in a coma for 221 days. Subsequently, he entered a persistent vegetative state, becoming dependent on full-time care.

Although there is no consensus that the injuries were caused exclusively by the illegal blows, the case has become a global benchmark in debates about the safety of combat sports.

Poatan demanded the referee be banned.

H. Dean (photo) is a notable figure at UFC events. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter @HerbDeanMMA

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Visibly outraged by the referee's behavior, Alex Poatán He even asked for the support of other Ultimate athletes to mobilize the company to prohibit Herb Dean from working at the event again. According to him, all fighters, both male and female, are subject to mistakes on the part of the American.

“He wasn’t a man of his own accord. He shouldn’t have been refereeing that fight. In fact, he should be punished. He should be held accountable in court. A guy like that, his friends, his children, his nephews look at him and think: ‘he’s a coward’. He’s not a true professional and he didn’t deserve to be there,” he said in a video statement.

"This will only change when the fighters fight to remove the referee who makes this type of mistake. Let's prevent it before it happens to you! We have the strength for this! I guarantee it," he later wrote in an Instagram post, even considering... go to court.