Kyle Noke: Rugby more dangerous than MMA

Australian UFC welterweight Kyle Noke says that MMA is far ahead of Rugby in addressing head trauma, and as a consequence, is safer.

In terms of head trauma, the UFC is safer than the NRL,” said Noke, a former rugby player, to Australia’s Daily Telegraph.

That’s not me trying to bag rugby league — I love the sport. But if you receive a head knock in the UFC, you’re out for eight weeks, sometimes three months.

And, yes, I know people will say our sport’s aim is to knock people out. But when you break it down, any time a UFC fighter is concussed he gets sidelined … in the NRL they can still play the next week.

Playing bush footy, I’ve seen first hand the way guys play on after concussion.”

My brother, he played league, and kept coming back after being heavily concussed a number of times.

So while I’m glad things are changing, it surprises me that so many people still want to bag MMA. I understand that, because of the light gloves, there are a lot of cuts and the blood isn’t for everyone.

But in terms of the serious issues like concussion, we don’t even have the standing eight count like boxing.

Noke’s remarks were supported by ring and cageside physician Dr Lou Lewis.

What Kyle says, it’s absolutely correct,’’ said Dr. Lewis. You have to remember that not every punch in combat sports causes concussion.

But if it does, in boxing you’re sidelined 28 days. That’s been mandatory since 1986.

And unlike rugby league, we don’t measure concussions — you can’t have a ‘minor’ one and be back next week. If you’re concussed, that’s it.

I actually put it to league bosses, tongue-in-cheek a few years ago now, that they should follow our rules. They said if they started banning concussed players there would be nobody left to play.

Noke will fight opposing coach Patrick Cote in the main event of the the TUF Nations Finale on April 16, 2014 in Quebec City, Quebec.