The Toronto Star recently did an in depth profile of long time fan favorite Gary Goodridge, and his struggles with the effects of brain damage suffered during his MMA and kickboxing careers.
Quote:
Still quick with a joke, Goodridge can recall his fights in painstaking detail. But he sometimes stumbles over words, and often repeats himself because he simply forgets what he’s just said.
His drug regimen is suited to an Alzheimer’s patient, and that’s no accident. After 85 combined kickboxing and MMA bouts, many of them poorly regulated, Goodridge at times feels much older than 45.
“My brain,” he says, “doesn’t remember much these days.”
Follow the link for the full article and videos
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Sad to hear. He did eat a lot of punches through his career. He didn't do great in kick boxing at all, but still stayed there. I'll always remember Gary Goodridge in his black Gi, slamming down the elbows from the crucifix. Sad to hear though for sure.
It's unfortunate that he overstayed his welcome in MMA, and unfortunate that he never set himself up for life after MMA.
Sidebar: I never quite understand, entirely, why people harp on fighters for playing it safe.
It's as if people aren't satisfied unless someone ends up concussed, or with a broken bone, or with a short stint of insufficient oxygen supply to the brain.
These people have the rest of their lives to live after they're done with MMA.
On a certain level, it's actually kind of sick that people believe they're entitled to seeing someone physically incapacitated or seriously injured.
It's unfortunate that he overstayed his welcome in MMA, and unfortunate that he never set himself up for life after MMA.
Sidebar: I never quite understand, entirely, why people harp on fighters for playing it safe.
It's as if people aren't satisfied unless someone ends up concussed, or with a broken bone, or with a short stint of insufficient oxygen supply to the brain.
These people have the rest of their lives to live after they're done with MMA.
On a certain level, it's actually kind of sick that people believe they're entitled to seeing someone physically incapacitated or seriously injured.
Sad news about Gary. He took a ton of damage over his career and its effecting him at a relatively young age. Hopefully he can still enjoy the rest of his life with only these issues and they don't get any worse.
To your sidebar. i agree completely if a knock out or a submission attempt puts someone to sleep i do enjoy it not gonna lie, but i don't feel robbed if the fight doesn't get end in a KO or Ref stoppage.
Last night watching some fights with people i didn't know and they were so mad at GSP and in the final round Shields because they didn't rush in with no regard for themselves in order knock the other out they said GSP was a pus and was "afraid" because of what happened when Matt Serra knocked him silly. They were upset with Shields for being what they saw as a boring fighter.
I popped off about how an MMA fighter could ever be called a pus or afraid let alone a Champ and that GSP had the game plan to win the fight with out losing a round and Jake could do nothing to get the fight to where he could win it it was an excellent fight fought by GSP and he did get busted up quite a bit especially his left eye. Jake may not be exciting at all times but he is capable of some very exciting submissions.
Poor guy.. met him at a bar in Barrie, ON about 5 years ago and he was a total prick, but it really sucks that he wound up with scrambled eggs because he had bills to pay. Wouldn't wish that on anyone. Best of luck to him, and I hope whatever his condition is isn't degenerative and he doesn't lose any more function.
It's unfortunate that he overstayed his welcome in MMA, and unfortunate that he never set himself up for life after MMA.
Sidebar: I never quite understand, entirely, why people harp on fighters for playing it safe.
It's as if people aren't satisfied unless someone ends up concussed, or with a broken bone, or with a short stint of insufficient oxygen supply to the brain.
These people have the rest of their lives to live after they're done with MMA.
On a certain level, it's actually kind of sick that people believe they're entitled to seeing someone physically incapacitated or seriously injured.
100% agree I love the technical battles, and the game plans like GPS vs. KOS i thought that was a great fight. I likeed the sheilds fight as well. or the way Frankie fights he uses great movement and technical strikes and out thinks who ever he is fighting. To tell you the true when some gets KO'ed and goes to sleep my stomach all ways drops because I dont want to see anyone get hurt, even when I dont luke the fighter. Example the Hendo vs. Bisping fight. I cant stand Bisping but and Im glad he lost, but when he got put out like that, i was concered for him.
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While he's showing slight signs of deterioration now, in another 10-15 years he'll be absolutely unable to control his speech and thought process. Sad to see really.
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This is why Arlovski needs to retire, and why Liddell needed to retire, and why it's good idea that Couture retired. No point in taking unnecessary damage when you're best years are behind you. Fighters need to learn to hang them up when its time.
Gary Goodridge suffering from brain damage 
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