UFC Extended Brain Health Study Through 2030
The combat sports leader committed to long-term research on repetitive head trauma at the Cleveland Clinic.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Stroke
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UFC has extended its partnership with the Cleveland Clinic to support the Professional Athletes Brain Health Study through 2030. WWE and Zuffa Boxing have also joined the study as participants and financial contributors.
Why it matters
The study aims to determine the long-term effects of repetitive head trauma and identify risk factors for CTE. The research seeks to guide safety policies and practices to protect the brain health of professional athletes.
The Professional Athletes Brain Health Study has enrolled more than 900 active and retired athletes since its inception. Participants undergo annual brain health assessments and MRI scans to track structural and protein changes.
The players
UFC
The Ultimate Fighting Championship is a premier mixed martial arts organization that hosts global events.
Cleveland Clinic
This nonprofit academic medical center provides clinical and hospital care and is a leader in medical research.
WWE
World Wrestling Entertainment is an integrated media organization focused on professional wrestling and sports entertainment.
Zuffa Boxing
Zuffa Boxing is an entity focused on the promotion and management of professional boxing matches.
Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health
Located in Las Vegas, this center is dedicated to the study and treatment of brain diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
The details
The program observes how lifestyle factors and environments impact the onset of CTE pathology through annual screenings. Researchers are now preparing to initiate tests for new potential treatments based on ongoing observations.
Timeline
The Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health opened in 2009.
The Professional Athletes Brain Health Study was established in 2011.
UFC announced the multiyear partnership extension on October 8, 2026.
The partnership extension is slated to run through 2030.
The Big Picture
The expansion of the Professional Athletes Brain Health Study signals a shift in major sports leagues prioritizing long-term medical data over immediate performance metrics. This partnership marks an evolution in how combat sports organizations engage with neurodegenerative research.
The findings from this long-term study may eventually lead to better diagnostic tools and medical protocols for individuals who experience repetitive head impacts. Athletes participating in the study receive annual brain health monitoring and access to advanced clinical assessments.
The takeaway
Ongoing investment in longitudinal studies remains critical for understanding the complex links between head impacts and neurological health. This long-term commitment helps transform observational data into actionable clinical treatments for professional athletes.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest research and support options in the Stroke section.
More information
For more information on current studies, visit the Lou Ruvo Center research participation info.
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Should professional sports leagues be required to fund independent medical research on long-term athlete brain health?
