Screening and injury risk reduction in the UFC with Tim Roberts

In this episode of the Pace Performance Podcast, Rob is speaking to Tim Roberts, the sports medicine manager at the UFC Performance Institute in Mexico City, shares his extensive background in sports physiotherapy and the importance of multi-sport experience in developing as a clinician. He discusses the significance of strength profiling in MMA, the tiered diagnostic approach used at the UFCPI, and the technology and tools employed for athlete assessment. Tim emphasizes the need for tailored injury prevention programs that cater to the diverse backgrounds of athletes at the institute. In this conversation, Tim discusses the intricacies of performance analysis, injury prevention, and rehabilitation strategies in MMA. He emphasizes the importance of normalizing data for accurate performance insights, creating a culture of injury prevention among fighters, and the challenges faced in managing their rehabilitation. Tim shares insights on how to effectively communicate with athletes, the significance of maintaining their fighter spirit, and the structured approach to return-to-play progressions. He highlights the need for a balance between athlete safety and performance demands, ultimately fostering a supportive environment for fighters.

Main talking points:

• Tiered diagnostics to help immediate programming and prevention

• Brain health assessments

• Finding a balance between care and toughness for fighter mentality

• Maintaining athlete involvement during recovery

• Building trust and connection with fighters

• Leveraging technology for athlete assessment