Actor Mel Gibson, a UFC fan who has discussed his severe PTSD on the Joe Rogan Experience, expressed feeling sympathy for MMA fighters’ head trauma after witnessing Brian Ortega‘s tough fight against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 266.
If you’ve tuned into a UFC broadcast in recent years, chances are you’ve caught a glimpse of actor Mel Gibson in the crowd. The star of movies like Braveheart, Signs, and the Lethal Weapon series is a massive MMA fan.
On the Joe Rogan Experience, Gibson shared insights from a brain scan revealing severe PTSD, described as "the worst case" by the testing agent. This revelation led him to express concern for MMA fighters, given the head trauma they endure.
One event struck him deeply: UFC 266 in Las Vegas. He witnessed Alexander Volkanovski face off against Brian Ortega for the featherweight championship.
"I’m addicted to the UFC," Gibson confessed to Joe Rogan. "I love it, but I feel sorry for these guys dealing with head trauma." He had a personal connection with one fighter, Brian Ortega, who fought Volkanovski.
"He almost got him a couple of times," Gibson recalled. Knowing Brian felt like watching his own son fight—he nearly cried. "I should probably feel that way about all these guys, but I don’t know them as well."
In the end, Volkanovski won by unanimous decision. The fight ranked No. 3 in MMA Fighting’s 2021 Fight of the Year voting.