Gary Goodridge diagnosed with early onset CTE/Pugilistic Dementia
by Geno Mrosko on Feb 14, 2012 3:30 PM EST
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Former PRIDE FC and K-1 star Gary Goodridge may no longer be competing in mixed martial arts, but that doesn't mean the 46-year-old bruiser isn't still fighting on a daily basis. His new opponents?
Slurred speech and prescription pain killers.
Indeed, according to a report from MMAWeekly.com, Goodridge was recently diagnosed with early onset CTE/pugilistic dementia stemming from his long career of taking shots to the head both inside the ring and outside it during training and various sparring sessions.
Between MMA and kickboxing, Goodridge has amassed a staggering 80+ fights to his name since 1996. Unfortunately his career ended in a serious decline, as the Canadian was forced into retirement following seven consecutive losses dating back to March 2007.
But despite his sickness and declining health, he doesn't regret a single second of it.
"I have no regrets. I love the way I live my life, I mean I would like to make little changes, but no, I have no regrets. I loved the way my life was, I lived a good life, and I'm happy with what I did."
As surprising as that may be, it's perhaps even more surprising that Goodridge doesn't actually blame MMA for his troubles. Actually, he says K-1 is the main culprit for his condition.
"I would like to share with people, but I think most of my damage came from K-1. MMA really wasn't an issue because there's hardly any shots to the head. 90-percent of my injuries came from K-1, where there's nothing but head trauma, head injuries over and over again."
Goodridge, regrettably, may not have found himself in a unique situation.
Brain injuries stemming from repeated head trauma have been receiving more attention as the sport of MMA continues its global expansion, even prompting some fans to disassociate themselves with the sport.
Because MMA is evolving so rapidly and fans (and the medical community) are still running to catch up, it may take several years for damage incurred today to show its lasting effects and long-term consequences.
Does anyone else notice a difference in behavior/speech pattern in Chuck Liddell, Phil Baroni and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira? And do we have a responsibility to act on it?
Gary may not blame MMA and it may, in fact, be safer than K-1, seeing as the focus isn't completely on repeated trauma to the head. But there's no doubt the sport is dangerous for those who choose to partake in it.
There are no clear-cut answers, but as Goodridge has shown, it may get worse before it gets better.
Thoughts?
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umm...
“I have no regrets. I love the way I live my life, I mean I would like to make little changes, but no, I have no regrets. I loved the way my life was, I lived a good life, and I’m happy with what I did.”
He wont be saying that for very long.
"You never know. I don't know. You know?" -Nick Diaz
Chuck and Phil have always spoke like that...
Same with Rodrigo. That’s just age. I know people who’ve never participated in full contact sports, yet they still develop somewhat of a slur or speech problems.
Now if someone as articulate as Randy Couture or Rich Franklin started slurring and shit, then maybe it’s somewhat attributable to MMA. Otherwise, no big deal.
Again, I know plenty of people in life who’ve become more and more incoherent simply due to age. But I bet I they been an MMA fighter, people would point the blame at the sport.
by War Forrest on Feb 14, 2012 3:41 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I bet if they*
EDIT: Lol now I’m starting to sound I coherent…
by War Forrest on Feb 14, 2012 3:43 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Fuck trying to type from the iPhone… I give up.
by War Forrest on Feb 14, 2012 3:44 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
That’s just age.
You do realize that they are still young as in terms of their life span and that their problems are not found to be genetically linked?
It’s not a coincidence, man.
Mania is not quite Mania without Dakatak. Come back soon, Dak.
Please copy this sig if you agree.
"If you seek truth you will not seek victory by dishonorable means, and if you find truth you will become invincible." - Epictetus
should of gotten a Galaxy S2
by huckabuck878 on Feb 14, 2012 4:01 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Galaxy S2 rocket is a good phone
by Captain Koolaid on Feb 14, 2012 4:45 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Droid Bionic…wish i had more battery time tho. Half day bullshit…
And this sucks for Gary.
by hexbreaker on Feb 14, 2012 9:57 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
watch the backstage chuck interviews from pride
and then watch the lead up to the rich fight.
he’s defenitely not all there anymore. I’m quite surprised by randy though
pride never die.
Randy never took damage like Chuck. His non-striking style led to very few open exchanges in comparison to Chuck. Plus, I am sure the drug abuse on Chuck's part did not help either.
Mania is not quite Mania without Dakatak. Come back soon, Dak.
Please copy this sig if you agree.
"If you seek truth you will not seek victory by dishonorable means, and if you find truth you will become invincible." - Epictetus
no doubt it takes it toll,,,, just like any contact sport...
Dan henderson is not all there either., he was always the good ole boy,,,, but you can tell in his mannerism… Randy is a rare case.. but honestly most the time fighters would play by Randy’s rule not the other way around,,, He hardly ever was slugging it out….
wow youre totally right.... I just went back and watched his Pride interviews.
He actually seemed normal. TOTALLY different. But like everyone else said….I think there are three factors here….. age, drug abuse, and then the repeated punishment.
But yeah you can absolutely see a HUGE difference.
yeah, don't know who brought it up first here in mania
but it was a long time ago. They even provided the links for the videos, i checked’em and was blown away by the difference.
pride never die.
Chucks slowed speech pattern
Chuck used to talk fine and fast. Recently as ’03. Now I can type faster then he talks. Got to be from blows to the head.
by Obie62 on Feb 14, 2012 4:04 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
coincidences then?
I’ve been hearing this same criticism about boxing for decades. The fact that certain atheletes who have had hard careers end up having health problems is too big a coincidence. It goes beyond any one sport. You can mention Muhammad Ali, Jerry Quarry, Terry Norris, Sweet Pea, but they are just some of the most famous victims of their chosen career. I remember Al Toon in the NFL having major concussions every season. MMa is still too young to see widespread after affects, but Big Daddy may just be the 1st in a long list of victims. The human head can only take so much.
"The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man." George Bernard Shaw
by Fat Daddy Doobs on Feb 14, 2012 3:47 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I just like it that we have a guy who has competed in a purely striking combat sport and MMA
He said almost all his head trauma was not from MMA. Hopefully should give some creedance to MMA being less dangerous than boxing, football, hell even Cheerleading.
\m/
by Edgecrusher71 on Feb 14, 2012 3:55 PM EST up reply actions
IM sure GG
isnt the best person to decide how much trauma he took from either sport.. the dude can barely think straight
enzo-enormous
by enzo-enormous on Feb 14, 2012 4:37 PM EST up reply actions
Only time...
That I noticed is when Chuck was on that morning talk show and he couldnt speak and literally feel asleep on live tv. But that had nothing to do with shots to the head.
that was some funny shit. for anyone that hasn't seen it-
"If guns cause crime then all of mine are defective."
I personally like deigos drunken speech at the mma awards few yrs back
by Cerrone's sombrero on Feb 14, 2012 3:49 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
ah i need to check that one out
by huckabuck878 on Feb 14, 2012 4:05 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
haha, thats a hell of an interview. that dude can party.
by huckabuck878 on Feb 14, 2012 4:04 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
damn shame..
Just read his book this week & he holds nothing back. And that includes his personal life, head trauma & 1st person POV of the ups& downs of his career. I found the book to be real, raw, and surprisingly open with his emotions. Always admired his heart & he seems like a good man. Wish him the best with his condition.
"The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man." George Bernard Shaw
by Fat Daddy Doobs on Feb 14, 2012 3:37 PM EST via mobile reply actions
The skull and brain
are not designed to take continuous damage year after year after year. Football, boxing, hockey, etc. All of these sports have athletes that have suffered or are suffering some sort of brain damage. The proof is there.
"The less secure a man is, the more likely he is to have extreme prejudice."
- Clint Eastwood
That’s why you soak it up and get on with life. You chose this trade boy, so deal with the consequences. I’m well aware that, although chances incredibly slim, I could slip and someone could crack my skull and KMTFO in the cage, resulting in damage later on in life. That’s just how it is in this brutal sport, I’ll take my chances though. We both throw down at the same time, I can guarantee that your head is hitting the canvas before you connect on me. That’s just something I can guarantee, Gary Goodridge couldn’t.
Bobby Southworth
How can you keep that up everyday ?
It’s an insane performance. Huge fan.
Well, anybody who knows me knows I'm no fan of dictionaries or reference books. They're elitist. Constantly telling us what is or isn't true. Or what did or didn't happen.
and people wonder why GSP takes guys to the ground and avoids getting hit
wish him and his family the best
"If guns cause crime then all of mine are defective."
imagine the dementia on the poor guy who gary caught in a crucifix with elbows raining down on him
his name eludes me right now but that was pretty fucking brutal to watch
oh, and sad to hear about gary
pride never die.
I’ve noticed the slur on certin fighters from back in the day. But Cro cops twitching after the Nelson fight was beyond Belive for me.
by Cerrone's sombrero on Feb 14, 2012 3:45 PM EST via mobile reply actions
MMA is safer then boxing/K1/Hockey/Football combined
Just ask Dan Severn dude has over 120 fights and his speech is just dandy. Randy may not sound exactly as he did earlier in his career but thats expected from any combat athelete.(and he still sounds great) Chuck should’ve taking better care of himself outside of the ring and he wouldn’t stutter so damn much.
Anyways damage is always going to occur in combat/physical sports MMA is by far the safest because of JJ.
If you dont like drugs then dont do them.....give them to me!
The first UFC Event I saw was UFC 8
The fight that got me hooked….Gary Goodridge and the most vicious elbows I have ever seen, still.
You are the man Gary, you will be in my thoughts!
Fighters fight. Snitches Snitch.
Fight of the night bonuses need to be brought into question.. dont get me wrong i love what it brings...
but alot of these fighters are throwing caution to the wind for that extra 60 gs.. which i would to! But it definately leads to less defense and awareness which causes more violent stoppages… Which i want so ill stop their!
kinda reminds me of howard hughes…(hughes was caught up in some conspiracy imo, drugged up in his later years without him knowing so they could steal his fortune. drugged by who is the question…)
by huckabuck878 on Feb 14, 2012 4:15 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Wow.. I never saw that before
That doesnt look good at all. That was on t.v. too?
enzo-enormous
by enzo-enormous on Feb 14, 2012 4:40 PM EST up reply actions
sobering thought
you hear about this also in retired football players, though i cant lay out specific players or examples. i love the sport of mma, and i dont know what to say really, fighters sacrifice alot.
by huckabuck878 on Feb 14, 2012 4:00 PM EST via mobile reply actions
nick diaz's speech is retarded too
but i don’t know if it’s due to the pot or the repeated slugfests he gets in
pride never die.
Both
Mania is not quite Mania without Dakatak. Come back soon, Dak.
Please copy this sig if you agree.
"If you seek truth you will not seek victory by dishonorable means, and if you find truth you will become invincible." - Epictetus
Neither of you know what the F you are talking about in this instance
Kisses!
Fighters fight. Snitches Snitch.
if diaz gave an interview while high i’d bet anything he’d sound like albert einstein, you just dont know.
by huckabuck878 on Feb 14, 2012 4:09 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
lol
If you dont like drugs then dont do them.....give them to me!
by Khaos_Warrior on Feb 14, 2012 4:10 PM EST up reply actions
You are right, its a combo. There is a reason the stoner stereotype exists. I don't care about weed as I don't have a moral stance on it. Frankly, IDGAF but to suggest weed has zero influence in Diaz's case is highly concentrated bull shit.
Mania is not quite Mania without Dakatak. Come back soon, Dak.
Please copy this sig if you agree.
"If you seek truth you will not seek victory by dishonorable means, and if you find truth you will become invincible." - Epictetus
"I have no regrets."
Well said, we all know the risks. It’s well documented and it’s well publicized as to what happens to a person when they get hit in the head too many times. Where I’m confused is what you’re getting at when you talk about “MMA down the road, long term.” Can it be worse than boxing? Even if it is worse than boxing does that mean people will no longer want to compete in MMA?
Boxer’s still train and fight, every damn one of them knows Ali and what happened to him. It doesn’t stop them from doing it.
Gary, thanks for all the fights and the funny interviews.
Bleeding hearts, gtfo of other people’s business. You can’t protect people from themselves.
I live in America! Land of the coward, home of the slave. Watch that TV, go to that football game, that circus, CNN, MSNBC, FOX and other mainstream media are not owned by large corporations, they are always honest and fair and they never lie to you. Whatever you do don't read history books, don't study the constitution, do everything you can possibly do to be happy in life. Just don't ever get involved in your government, big brother will take care of you. Your elected officials always do what's in your best interest, there is no corruption in our government, good little sheep, just make yourself happy, just entertain yourself, the government is only here to entertain you and take care of you and feed you and make you happy, don't you worry your little head over world affairs.
by O damn he got caught on Feb 14, 2012 4:07 PM EST reply actions
It took Gary Goodridge 16 years to get brain damage.....
but it only took Paul Harrera 13 seconds.
"You never know. I don't know. You know?" -Nick Diaz
GG elbows > jbj elbows.
Generals gathered in their masses
Just like witches at black masses
Evil minds that plot destruction
Sorcerer of death's construction
In the fields the bodies burning
As the war machine keeps turning
Death and hatred to mankind
Poisoning their brainwashed minds
58 posts before I got to the one I was looking for
Good Job TW
Mania is not quite Mania without Dakatak. Come back soon, Dak.
Please copy this sig if you agree.
Look at Big John about 15 elbows too late
with the stoppage.
He Thot the guys was saying " NOOO DON'T STOP IT!! "
can’t u see’m shaking his head?
Generals gathered in their masses
Just like witches at black masses
Evil minds that plot destruction
Sorcerer of death's construction
In the fields the bodies burning
As the war machine keeps turning
Death and hatred to mankind
Poisoning their brainwashed minds
I think we're only going to see more of this. Not only in contact sports but the guys
coming back from Iraq & Afghanistan from IED’s and the damage these do to brains. My dad was diagnosed with dementia 5 years ago and died this past August. Multiple concussions from high school & college football and then rugby.
This is a horrible disease – my heart goes out to Gary’s family.
goodridge, would he have just killed herrera?
what an ass. he knew he was out.
by shellyObama on Feb 14, 2012 6:38 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Very sad, but not surprising especially if you’ve seen his K-1 matches. I remember one time in MMA or K-1, he was displeased with a stoppage and said part of his strategy is to let people hit him until they are tired. It was one of the dumbest things I’d ever heard, and realized then that I’d be seeing an article like this in the future.
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