AXS TV's Ron Kruck recalls 'surreal experience' with John McCain, Lorenzo Fertitta

You know MMA has come a long way when Republican U.S. Senator John McCain and UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta are sitting in swinging distance without a fight.

It was other fighters’ health and safety that brought the former rivals together as politicians and fight industry heads met Tuesday on Capitol Hill to champion a long-term study on brain trauma.

AXS TV tonight airs a special on the meeting, which includes reporter Ron Kruck’s exclusive interview with McCain.

McCain was the UFC’s chief antagonist in the sport’s no-holds-barred days and waged a political campaign that succeeded in banning UFC events from pay-per-view. Lorenzo Fertitta and his brother/fellow UFC co-owner, Frank Fertitta, purchased the promotion in 2001 and turned it into a massively lucrative sports franchise.

Over the years, McCain softened his stance on MMA and said he no longer opposed the UFC.

“To see him go from one of the biggest opponents of the UFC to a fan was very cool, and he mentioned that,” Kruck, who attended the meeting, told MMAjunkie Radio. “Now, don’t get me wrong – I think boxing is his first love. But he has really embraced MMA, and to see McCain and Fertitta pretty much sitting next to each other was a surreal experience.”

The study, which tracks fighters’ cognitive functions in hopes of improving treatment for traumatic brain injury, is now close to its three-year anniversary at Las Vegas’ Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. Doctors aim to recruit a total of 650 fighters to undergo yearly testing. Currently, 400 are enrolled, the bulk of which are MMA fighters, Kruck said.

In exchange for their participation, fighters receive free MRIs to be used for licensing with state athletic commissions.

“[Ruvo Center Associate Medical Director Dr. Charles Bernick] has always said the key is going to be not only getting fighters to continue to sign up, but to do this over a long period of time – five, six or seven years down the line,” Kruck said.

McCain and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who both boxed as amateurs before politics, said the study is key to understanding the long-term health impacts of combat sports. Lorenzo Fertitta, as well as executives from Bellator MMA, Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions, have pledged $600,000 to continue the research.

“I think one of the key points is while there are a lot of concussions and head trauma studies being conducted – the most popular right now is the NFL – those are really concentrated on retired fighters,” Kruck said. “This is not. This study is putting the emphasis on active fighters and the effects that head blows and brain trauma can do to them.”

Kruck also interviewed UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, who said that the gym perhaps represents the greatest danger to fighters’ long-term brain health. Sparring sessions and other types of training bring repeated blows to the head as they prepare for a bout.

Jones said he would rather know the effects of his occupation than live in hopes that he might not be permanently affected by the damage. Other fighters, Kruck said, might not share that view.

“I guarantee you there are many fighters out there that don’t want to know,” he said.

For those who do, however, help might be found in dealing with other health issues that could stem from head trauma, which include depression.

“It’s also to speak with the doctors there and talk about how they’re doing mentally,” Kruck said. “That’s something that goes under the radar, and it really shouldn’t.”

Watch the full report on tonight’s edition of “Inside MMA” (AXS TV, 9 p.m. ET).

MMAjunkie Radio broadcasts Monday-Friday at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) live from Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s Race & Sports Book. The show is hosted by “Gorgeous” George Garcia, MMAjunkie lead staff reporter John Morgan and producer Brian “Goze” Garcia. For more information or to download past episodes, go to www.mmajunkie.com/radio.