Vasquez competed in his third professional bout on October 20, 2007, when he faced Vince Libardi at the Toyota Center in Houston. He was knocked down with a punch in the third round and subsequently collapsed. Vasquez underwent a series of surgeries to relieve pressure on his brain and was in a comatose state for six weeks before succumbing to the blunt force trauma on Nov. 30.
Parham told the committee that a DVD of the bout was reviewed and then recounted Vasquez's performance. Vasquez's head hit one of the posts in the cage as Libardi took him down in the opening round. Vasquez could be seen squinting and blinking his eyes after the takedown but was active in punching and defending himself with upkicks.
Is it time for stiff regulations regarding the cage to help protect fighters from injury? At the very least it appears that the padding, or lack there of from the ring post contributed to the injuries sustained by Vasquez.
Additionally, does this produce a black cloud over the sport just as it seems to be gaining national attention and an increased viewing audience?
I think the large organizations, namely the UFC, should do some damage control and regulate themselves before the state athletic commissions do it for them.
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