However, I’d like to reiterate my main point, which is that just because someone isn’t knocked unconscious doesn’t mean they haven’t suffered a concussion (or other head injury).

Even today, with sports concussions making headlines in the news, many new boxers/MMAers don’t realize that you can get seriously injured from a blow to the head without getting KOed.

Thanks for taking the time to add detail to your comments. (And if you ever want a place to publish a head injury article geared towards beginning martial artists, I’ll be happy to host it).

Concussions come about because of the sudden snapping of the head to the back (i.e. uppercut or jab, even), to the front (rabbit punch), to the side (hook), or some combination. In medical terms, it probably represents “white matter” injury, from disruption of the fibers that transmit information from nerve cell to nerve cell.

Watch a knockout. Every single one you’ll ever see involves a fighter’s head snapping back.

FWIW, I am a physician with a special interest in sports medicine and head injuries. Good column, overall, but people need to be educated about head injuries. Knockouts/concussions are brain injuries, albeit (hopefully) temporary, and should be treated with respect.