Cauliflower ear (or an auricular hematoma) is when the front and back cartilage of the ear separate and fill with blood which eventually hardens.

How cauliflower ear strikes – Rough contact with the ear. This damage can happen in an instant in fight sports. For example, one hard takedown, escaping a submission, or a single punch.

Why is this important? – Unlike a normal bruise where the clotted blood has somewhere to go, the blood in the ear has no escape, so it hardens exactly where it is and then becomes a permanent deformity.

Long-term consequences – The consequences of fully formed cauliflower ear range from simply having deformed ears to problems such as:

Trouble using headphones

Prejudice in professional settings

Loss of hearing

The outer edge of the ear can even fold over and die!

The one common consequence for all who experience cauliflower ear is pain. It hurts when you train, it hurts when you’re done, it hurts enough to keep you awake all night!