After the final bell: the post-fight check, suspensions and the road back to training

This film comes from a bout at Manchester Mayhem. The final bell is where most fight coverage ends. For us it is the start of the most important part of the night.

The post-fight examination

Every fighter, winner and loser, is examined after their bout. The doctor looks for signs of head injury, checks cuts, hands, ribs and joints, and compares how the fighter is now with how they were before the bout. Adrenaline hides a lot, so this check matters even when the fighter says they feel fine.

Suspensions: the minimums

Our doctors apply the EMMAA minimum suspension protocol. These are minimums: a doctor can always set a longer period when an injury or a fighter’s history calls for it, but never a shorter one.

• Every competitor: at least 7 days with no contact training.
• Loss by TKO: at least 30 days.
• Loss by submission: at least 30 days.
• Loss by knockout: at least 45 days.
• Second knockout within 6 months: at least 60 days.
• Third knockout within 12 months: at least 90 days, and our Medical Director must sign off the return.

Knockouts are counted over the previous six and twelve months, including knockouts at other promotions, which is why we ask about them on the medical form. The earliest return is the day after the suspension ends, and the fighter is told about their suspension and acknowledges it before they leave.

The first 24 hours

Anyone with a suspected head injury goes home with written advice and should have a responsible adult with them. The UK’s grassroots concussion guidance is clear: no training or competition within 24 hours, and call NHS 111 within 24 hours of a suspected concussion. Red flags such as a severe or worsening headache, repeated vomiting, a seizure, increasing confusion or drowsiness mean going to A&E or calling 999.

The road back

After a head injury, the return to training is staged. A fighter moves up one stage at a time, from rest and light activity through non-contact training to full contact and, finally, competition, and only moves on when they have no symptoms at the current stage. If symptoms come back, they drop back a stage and tell the doctor. International consensus now puts more weight on early, gentle exercise and targeted rehabilitation than on complete rest.

A suspension only ends when a FightMedics doctor signs the fighter off, even if the date has passed. Fighters can check their own suspension and stage at any time on their phone, and coaches can read our guide for coaches and gyms.