Ex UFC fighter Julie Kedzie pledges brain for CTE research

Former UFC fighter Julie Kedzie has dedicated her brain to post-mortem research into chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain disease linked to repeated head trauma and concussions.

Kedzie competed 29 times as a professional, winning 16 and losing 13, before retiring from MMA in 2013.

She has suffered from depression, anxiety, hyperactivity, impulsivity and lack of sleep – all symptoms of CTE – since ending her career.

“It seems like a completely normal thing,” Kedzie told BBC Sport of the decision to donate his brain.

“I’ve been hit in the head a lot, so I might as well see what’s in there and make some use of it for the data.”

Kedzie, who has been involved with leading women’s MMA organization Invicta Fighting Championships since her retirement, is widely recognized as a pioneering figure in the growth of women’s MMA.

The 42-year-old is one of the first women to devote her brain to CTE research.

“If there is any way I can continue to progress in this field [of mixed martial arts] and advance the cause of women, then yes,” she said.

“I want to give back to women in this sport because there are all these studies on the brains of male athletes and there might be something completely different from a female athlete’s perspective.”

In July, Australian rules footballer Heather Anderson became the first professional athlete to be diagnosed with CTE.

Anderson, who retired from the sport in 2017, died last year aged 28.

His family donated his brain to the Australian Sports Brain Bank (ASBB), to better understand his death.