There’s an old saying from the Roman Empire: “The vigor of a soldier is known from the scars on his armor.” In Mixed Martial Arts, a fighter’s skill level is often symbolized by their cauliflower ear.
If your ear becomes lumpy it usually takes a bizarre shape which looks like cauliflower. Thus the name cauliflower ear comes.
MMA fighters, Mostly with wrestling or BJJ backgrounds have such kind of ear.
For years, In the fighting community, especially in wrestling, BJJ, and MMA, the cauliflower ear has been seen as a sign of integrity and expertise in the ground game.
In this article, I will explain Why fighters get it, Whether it’s preventable, How it can be treated or managed, And everything you need to know about cauliflower ear
So let us get started.
Cauliflower Ear 101: What is it?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, Auricular hematoma, also known as wrestler’s ear or Cauliflower ear, is a condition that can happen when blunt force is applied to the ear. It can make the ear look swollen and deformed.
Our ear is covered by a thin layer of skin underneath it, some veins carry blood to cartilage.
You might get thrown on the mat on your ear during wrestling or a BJJ drill. Such injury can tear the veins and disrupt the blood supply, resulting in a Hematoma (pocket of blood).
As injury heals, your ear folds in on itself slowly giving it a cauliflower-like appearance
Apart from ear shape deformity, you could also develop infections or, worst-case scenario, hearing loss.
Why Do MMA Fighters Get Cauliflower Ears?
Getting cauliflower ear is not any random event rather you can say it is an “Occupational Hazard”. With both my BJJ and MMA experience, I can think of three reasons why MMA fighters get cauliflower ears:
Constant Friction and Impact
In MMA, almost all the techniques for taking down your opponent come from either BJJ or Wrestling.
Unlike BJJ, where most of the time players are on the mat in their guard position, MMA fighters fight from a standing position.
That’s why when players in MMA perform takedowns, opponents tend to fall on their shoulders or ears.
It is not just the takedowns, To take control over the opponent, Often fighters use their ears and heads to press down.
For these reasons, the Ear of a Mixed martial artist gets traumatized resulting in a “wrestler’s ear”
Clenches and Headlocks
Apart from takedowns and pressing against the mat and opponent’s body, Clenches, and headlocks can cause a hematoma.
Mixed martial arts offers players to use a wide range of conventional and innovative attacks. Many fighters use clenches to attack with their knees.
Clenches in a fight can cause substantial damage to the outer layer of your ear. It might sound less dangerous but my first ear trauma was caused by such clenches.
While fighting on the ground, one of the go-to moves for many fighters is a headlock. As in MMA players are moving fast, Players are looking for grip rather than perfection of the technique.
This leads to a hand wrapping around the ear instead of the neck. This way your ear can get hurt.
Repeated Damage
Cauliflower ear doesn’t happen in one day. Yes, your ear can get hurt and it can become swollen. But that doesn’t make it cauliflower ear.
It’s the repetition of such trauma over the ear that makes the ear lose its original shape.
MMA players spar a lot and the chances of getting hit on the ear are high.
Additionally, MMA fighters tend to have special training sessions in BJJ to improve their ground game. This increases the chance of ear trauma.
Do Cauliflower Ears Go Away Naturally?
Like a bruise or muscle pain, Do cauliflower ears go away naturally? The answer: No, cauliflower ears do not go away naturally.
Why Cauliflower Ear Doesn’t Heal on Its Own?
According to Webmed, Cauliflower ear doesn’t heal on its own because of the following reasons:
Blood or Pus Accumulation in the Ear
Repeated trauma on the ear causes blood or pus to accumulate on the ear. Because of the damage, the ear can not reabsorb the fluids which increases the chance of hardening.
Cartilage Damage
Without medical intervention or proper rest, These fluids can damage your ear cartilage and cause a permanent ear deformity.
How to Treat Cauliflower Ear: From Ice to Surgery
If you’ve got cauliflower ear and you don’t want your ear to look like a lumpy cauliflower, Then this is for you.
Treating it isn’t as intimidating as it sounds, but it does require you to act fast. Once the damage hardens, the only option is surgery, so catching it early is key.
Before I share some medically proven tips for the treatment of the cauliflower ear, let’s see what are the common symptoms for MMA players having cauliflower ear:
According to WebMD, some common symptoms of cauliflower ear for MMA players are:
- Bruises
- A change in the shape of your ear
- Tinnitus (ringing sound in your ears)
- Hearing loss ( In severe Cases)
- Swelling in your face
- Blurry vision
- Bleeding from your ear
- Headaches
If your ear gets infected, you might have these symptoms:
- Pus drainage
- Further swelling
- More pain
- Fever
I have researched a lot on the treatment of cauliflower ear and according to my research you can treat your ear in the following way:
1. Spot the Problem Early
The first step is knowing when you need to step in. Look out for these signs:
- Swelling: Your ear looks puffier than usual or feels tender to the touch.
- Fluid Buildup: The ear feels squishy like it’s filled with water.
- Discoloration: Bruising or redness might appear in the swollen area.
These are all signs of fluid accumulation (also called an auricular hematoma) and mean you need to act quickly.
2. Drain the Fluid
If the ear is swollen and soft, it needs to be drained before the fluid hardens. Here’s what happens during this process:
- Medical Help is Best: A professional will use a needle or a small incision to drain the fluid. This is called hematoma evacuation or ear drainage.
- Don’t DIY: Trying to drain it yourself can lead to infections or make things worse. Always leave this to a doctor.
3. Compress and Protect
After the fluid is drained, There is a possibility of returning it.
To avoid this, you need to ensure your ear is compressed is crucial to stop the fluid. Here are a few ways that you can try:
- Compression Bandage: A tight bandage is wrapped around your head to keep the skin pressed against the ear cartilage. You might have seen this type of bandage being used in wrestling players.
- Avoid Training: Stay off the mats for a while to avoid reinjuring the ear or causing a recurrent hematoma.
4. Ice and Care for Swelling
If your ear becomes swollen and you are having a little burning sensation in your ear, Then you can try applying ice to your ear.
Whenever some new students in my gym got bruised ears while practicing MMA, My trainer used a special technique to treat that bruise.It’s easy and super effective.
First, take some ice and apply it over your ear for 10 minutes. After that give 10 min break. Then again apply ice for another 10 minutes.
4-5 times this can reduce your ear burning and swelling rapidly.
Watch for Infections
After treatment, infections are a real risk. Keep an eye out for warning signs like:
- Redness and heat around the ear.
- Pus or unusual discharge.
- Increasing pain after drainage.
- Difficulty hearing or blood from your ears
If you notice any of these, see a doctor immediately.
6. When to opt for surgery
If the ear has already hardened, there’s no undoing the damage with drainage or bandages. In these cases, surgery might be your best bet:
- Otoplasty (Surgical Correction): This procedure removes scar tissue and reshapes the ear.
- Healing Time: It usually takes a few weeks to recover, so be ready for some downtime.
7. Preventing measures that you can take
Once you’ve been through the hassle of treating cauliflower ear, prevention will be your best friend:
- Use Ear Protection Gear: Invest in good headgear during sparring and grappling sessions.
- Don’t Ignore Swelling: Address any ear injuries as soon as they happen.
- Take Breaks: Rest if your ears feel sore after a rough training session.
Final Thoughts
Cauliflower ear may be respected in MMA and other combat sports, but this can also cause some serious damage to your ear and hearing.
Usually, it’s a harmless change in your ear, but if you are unlucky then it can cause some serious problems such as hearing loss and more.
Whether you choose to keep it or avoid it, cauliflower ear is part of MMA, wrestling, and BJJ. You should know when to act and go to a doctor or when to look at it with pride and honor!
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