The ongoing Professional Athletes Brain Health Study at the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health provides free evaluations, including MRI scans, to monitor competitors over the course of their careers. The research cohort already encompasses more than 900 active and retired athletes from various high-impact fields, such as hockey, bull riding, and motorsports. With additional athletic disciplines joining the initiative, scientists intend to evaluate cumulative head impacts that happen even without formal concussion diagnoses. This multi-year push brings the mixed martial arts promotion's total investment in the program to more than $3 million since 2011.
Key points
Incorporating athletes from wrestling and boxing provides researchers access to varied im…: Incorporating athletes from wrestling and boxing provides researchers access to varied impact patterns across different combat entertainment sports.
Longitudinal tracking allows medical experts to evaluate cumulative head trauma that deve…: Longitudinal tracking allows medical experts to evaluate cumulative head trauma that develops even in the absence of diagnosed concussions.
Free assessments and MRI scans given to participants aim to help scientists identify earl…: Free assessments and MRI scans given to participants aim to help scientists identify early markers associated with chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
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UFC is putting another $1 million into research on the long-term effects of repeated head impacts, extending its partnership with Cleveland Clinic through 2030. Announced on October 8, 2026, the deal also brings WWE into the Professional Athletes Brain Health Study and opens participation to Zuffa Boxing athletes. The research aims to help scientists understand how repeated blows to the head affect athletes over time and what could increase their risk of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
UFC has supported the study since 2011 and has now committed more than $3 million across four rounds of funding. More than 900 active and retired athletes have enrolled in the program, which offers free brain health assessments, including MRI scans. With WWE and Zuffa Boxing joining the effort, researchers will have a broader group of athletes to study as they investigate brain changes, search for early indicators of injury and explore ways to improve long-term athlete safety.
UFC extends its $1 million brain-health commitment through 2030
The latest $1 million contribution will support Cleveland Clinic’s Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Las…
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