UK HealthCare physician works ringside at UFC Fight Night
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 11, 2024) – Over the weekend, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) returned to Louisville for Fight Night.
During the event Dwan Perry, D.O., part of UK HealthCare’s physical medicine and rehabilitation, had the opportunity to serve as a ringside physician.
Usually, Perry treats patients at the UK PMR outpatient musculoskeletal (MSK) clinic in Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital. But on Saturday, June 8, he got to combine his work with his passion for combat sports.
“I became involved with combat sports during my sports medicine fellowship training while meeting other physicians who had similar interests,” said Perry. “They were kind enough to offer me a chance to assist with local events and I became hooked on covering combat sports.”
Perry has been involved with USA Boxing since 2019 and found it was a great way to support developing boxers at the amateur level.
“The heart of USA Boxing is teaching the art and science of boxing while instilling principles of discipline, self-control and determination in young men and women,” said Perry.
For an event like Fight Night, the Kentucky Wrestling and Boxing Commission seeks out physicians with experience in ringside coverage. After serving USA Boxing for several years, Perry was asked to assist with UFC.
“It’s very humbling to be given the chance to assist with an event as large as UFC. Receiving a call from the commission is a true honor,” said Perry.
While working ringside at UFC Fight Night, Perry’s job was to ensure the safety of the participants during the competition. He worked alongside a team of physicians to take care of the fighters.
His duties included monitoring events in the ring and being available to the officials to consult medically to ensure fighter safety. Following the matches he performed evaluations and addressed any injuries or cuts during competition.
Perry has participated in one previous UFC event in Virginia almost eight years ago but says it’s very exciting that UFC has brought a top-tier event to the Bluegrass.
UK HealthCare is the hospitals and clinics of the University of Kentucky. But it is so much more. It is more than 10,000 dedicated health care professionals committed to providing advanced subspecialty care for the most critically injured and ill patients from the Commonwealth and beyond. It also is the home of the state’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, a Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit that cares for the tiniest and sickest newborns, the region’s only Level 1 trauma center and Kentucky’s top hospital ranked by U.S. News & World Report.
As an academic research institution, we are continuously pursuing the next generation of cures, treatments, protocols and policies. Our discoveries have the potential to change what’s medically possible within our lifetimes. Our educators and thought leaders are transforming the health care landscape as our six health professions colleges teach the next generation of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other health care professionals, spreading the highest standards of care. UK HealthCare is the power of advanced medicine committed to creating a healthier Kentucky, now and for generations to come.