Fans were left heartbroken after shocking footage emerged of veteran wrestler Nam Phan’s speech deteriorating over the years.
Phan is a retired MMA fighter and professional boxer who began competing in 2001.
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The American retired from MMA in 2017 – after stints in the UFC – but later continued fighting in boxing and Muay Thai.
A video has circulated on social media that shows a clear deterioration in Phan’s speech throughout his career.
It is likely caused by years of sparring and fighting in the ring and cage.
His speech goes from clear and easy to understand to slurred and slow – leaving fans devastated.
One said: “This really hurts to watch.”
Another added: “Rough man. Nam is an OG.”
One commented: “Damn this was a sad watch.”
Another said: “Hard to watch.”
What is CTE?
CTE, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy, refers to brain degeneration caused by frequent head trauma
Other elements may play a role, including genetics, but the exact factors have not yet been discovered, as reported by the Boston University CTE Center.
CTE is only diagnosed through a brain autopsy and is known to be a very rare disease.
It is most commonly found in athletes, including football players and wrestlers.
Some symptoms of CTE include memory loss, confusion, impaired judgment, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and progressive dementia.
These signs may begin to appear years or even decades after the last brain trauma.
It is possible that Phan, 41, is suffering the effects of the fatal brain disease, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
CTE is a degenerative brain disease that has strong links to repeated head trauma and can only be diagnosed after death.
It can cause dementia, personality changes and depression – unfortunately with no cure or treatment.
Former UFC star Julie Kedzie, 43, last year revealed plans to donate her brain for post-mortem research.
Kedzie said BBC Sport: “It seems like a very normal thing to do.
“I got hit in the head a lot, so we might as well see what’s in there and take advantage of that to get data.
“If there is a way for me to continue advancing in this field [of mixed martial arts] and promote the cause of women, then yes.”
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