Know why do fighters apply Vaseline on their face in the UFC
UFC fighters usually coat their faces with Vaseline before a bout and it’s making enthusiasts curious as they are looking up across social media to find out the reason behind the action.
For the unfamiliar, UFC contenders before stepping into the renowned Octagon undergo inspection by both a cutman and a commission official. The officials ensure that the fighters have their protective cups, mother guard, and gloves in place before granting them access to inside the cage.
Explained why do UFC fighters apply Vaseline on their face before a fight and what is the salary of a cutman per fight
"Someone get me some vaseline." -Former @ufc middleweight champion, @LukeRockhold 👊#Polaris12 #UFCFIGHTPASS pic.twitter.com/jOPvCKZr0j
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) November 30, 2019
As everyone already knows for the fact that rubbing Vaseline on the body in a bout is illegal, so why fighters are allowed to do the same, here’s the rationale behind it.
Reason Why Fighters Apply Vaseline on Their Face?
For the unversed, the cutman’s role is to apply Vaseline to their fighter’s face, spreading it across their cheeks, nose and eyebrows. Wondering why fighters receive this treatment before bouts?
The reason behind this treatment is to safeguard the fighters. For those still wondering, amid a bout, getting punched in the face is practically unavoidable. Sometimes, these blows led to severe cuts or gashes. To avoid the chances of forfeiting a match due to lacerations or severe cuts, fighters are allowed to apply Vaseline.
In simple words, a cutman applies Vaseline on fighters to ensure their safety against facial injuries, diminish swelling, and establish a shield over the skin.
By applying Vaseline, the skin of the fighters remains supple and pliable, which reduces the likelihood of tearing upon impact. It is because Vaseline reduces friction, aiding in maintaining the skin’s integrity amidst the rigors of combat.
Aside from that, Vaseline serves as a lubricant that enhances skin elasticity, facilitating greater stretchability. This increased flexibility reduces the likelihood of skin tearing upon receiving a forceful punch from an opponent.
However, a cutman can’t apply Vaseline to their fighter’s face as they wish. The referee has the supreme authority to regulate the quantity of Vaseline applied to a fighter’s face.
The authority is given to the referee as excessive usage of Vaseline could enable fighters to evade submissions, offering a significant advantage. Conversely, applying Vaseline to the body is illegal.
A UFC cutman makes 2% of a fighter’s winnings or a flat fee and they are typically independent contractors, so how they’re paid depends on their contracts with the fighters they work for.
An average UFC event bags them between $3,000-$6,000, and if a cutman works 40 events in a year, his salary can be between $120,000-$240,000.
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