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Rabbit punch

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Rabbit Punch
A depiction of a rabbit punch, an illegal strike to the back of the head.
Martial art	Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)

Arabbit punch is a blow delivered to the back of the head or to the base of the skull, notorious for its potential to cause severe and irreversible injuries, including spinal cord injury or even instant death.

Etymology[edit]

The term "rabbit punch" dates back to the early 20th century,^[1] which derives from a hunting technique where a quick, sharp strike to the back of a rabbit's head was used to ensure a swift kill without damaging the fur, considered a humane method for killing injured or trapped rabbits.^[2]

Legality and risks[edit]

Rabbit punches are illegal across all major combat sports, including boxing,^[3] MMA,^[4] and other combat sports^[5] that involve striking due to the significant risk they pose to the spinal cord and brain stem. Such strikes can lead to catastrophic injuries, including paralysis, severe brain damage, or death, due to the vulnerability of the back of the head and neck area. The only exceptions are no-holds-barred events such as the International Vale Tudo Championship (prior to rule changes in mid-2012).^[6]

Notable incidents[edit]

Several high-profile incidents have underscored the dangers of rabbit punches:

• On October 17, 2015, Prichard Colón, a well known boxer, was struck on the back of the head multiple times by his opponent, Terrel Williams by using the rabbit punch. During the match, Colón experienced dizziness as a result of the illegal punches. After the match ended, Colón began to tremble from his legs and started to vomit. He was rushed to the hospital where he was diagnosed with brain bleeding and underwent surgery. He was in a coma for 221 days (7 months, 1 week) until he was transferred to his mother's house. As a result of the injuries he sustained, Colón fell into a persistent vegetative state where he no longer could move or talk. As of July 2021, 6 years after the fight, Colón is making more progress and is getting treatment for his condition, but is still expected to remain in a vegetative state.^[7]
• Francisco Leal died from severe brain and brain stem damage in 2013 after a match with Raul Hirales, where a rabbit punch was involved.^{[citation needed]}

• Tim Hague, an ex-UFC fighter, died following a boxing match against Adam Braidwood in 2017, with rabbit punches contributing to a fatal brain hemorrhage.^{[citation needed]}

• On June 29, 2014, soccer referee John Bieniewicz was punched in the neck by Baseel Abdul Amir Saad, an upset player in an amateur match he was officiating in Livonia, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. Bieniewicz died two days later of his injuries, and Saad was charged with second-degree murder.^[8] Bieniewicz's autopsy showed that the force of the impact on the left side of his neck just below the base of his skull had resulted in a rare injury with twisted and torn arteries around the base of his skull, knocking him out before he hit the ground. ^[9] In 2015, Saad pleaded guilty to manslaughter and received a sentence of 8 to 15 years in prison.^[10]

Penalties and enforcement[edit]

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The consequences of delivering a rabbit punch are taken very seriously within the realm of combat sports, reflecting the significant danger these strikes pose to the health and safety of athletes. The enforcement of penalties for rabbit punches is governed by the specific rules of the sporting organisation overseeing the event, which may include boxing, mixed martial arts (MMA), kickboxing, and other martial arts competitions.

Intentional Rabbit Punches[edit]

Intentional rabbit punches are considered severe violations of the rules due to their potential to cause critical injury to the spinal cord or brain stem. Athletes that are found guilty of intentionally delivering such strikes can face a range of penalties, including:

• Point Deductions: Referees may immediately deduct points from the offender's scorecard, which can significantly impact the outcome of a match.
• Disqualification: In cases where an intentional rabbit punch is deemed egregious, the offending fighter may be disqualified from the match, resulting in an automatic loss.
• Fines: Regulatory bodies may impose monetary fines on the athlete, the amount of which can vary based on the severity of the infraction and the rules of the governing organisation.
• Suspension: Fighters may be suspended from competition for a period of time, which prohibits them from participating in events sanctioned by the governing body.
• License Revocation: In extreme cases, the athlete's license to compete can be revoked, either temporarily or permanently, effectively banning them from professional competition under the jurisdiction of the regulating body.

Unintentional Rabbit Punches[edit]

Unintentional rabbit punches, while still dangerous, are recognised as accidental in nature and are typically met with less severe penalties, such as:

• Warnings: Referees may issue a warning to the fighter, serving as a notice that repeated infractions could lead to more severe consequences.
• Point Deductions: If an unintentional rabbit punch is deemed to have a significant impact on the match, or if warnings are not heeded, points may be deducted from the offender's score.

See also[edit]

• Donkey punch
• Whiplash injury

References[edit]