Why Do Liver Shots Hurt So Bad? | Easily Explained
A punch to the liver can make the toughest fighters in the world crumble instantly.
In this page, we will explain why liver shots hurt so bad, and whether or not they're legal in Boxing and the UFC.
Why Do Liver Shots Hurt So Bad?
A punch to the liver directly affects the vagus nerve, which controls digestion and rest. When that nerve is hit, the fighter will feel their heart rate & blood pressure decrease and will begin to immediately feel dizzy and nauseous.
Add that on top of the unbearable pain that immediately collapses a fighter to the floor, and it's clear why even the toughest fighters can't outlast a liver shot.
Unlike other parts of the body that you can train to become stronger, such as doing core workouts to strengthen the abdominals, you can't train your liver to be stronger.
This means that no matter what physical shape you are in, you are always susceptible to a devastating liver shot, as you cannot prepare for a blow to the liver.
Additionally, the liver is a very important organ whose main function is to help control chemical levels in the blood through the process of filtering out toxins.
It also creates nutrients and turns them into an easier form for the body to be able to deal with.
Are Liver Punches Legal in the UFC?
Liver punches are legal in the UFC as well as liver kicks.
Anything above the belt and waistline is fair game and anything below the groin area.
Recently UFC fighter Giga Chikadze landed a brutal liver kick against the ultra-durable Cub Swanson.
Despite Swanson being one of the toughest fighters on the roster, he crumbled immediately and was unable to recover.
Nasty liver kick by Giga Chikadze! #UFCVegas25 pic.twitter.com/v95azG0FDR
— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) May 2, 2021
Upkick to the Liver Occurs in a UFC Fight
Most recently, Irene Aldana would be on her back throwing kicks, and her opponent, Macy Chiasson would immediately collapse without seemingly having been hit with any meaningful shot.
In real-time, it wouldn't be clear as to what just happened.
Many fans speculated whether Chiasson had been hit in the groin.
It wasn't until the replay, that fans in the arena as well as the UFC commentators, were able to figure out what happened.
THIS LIVER KICK 😖 #UFC279 pic.twitter.com/RtpFTsgpBr
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) September 11, 2022
Aldana would achieve one of the most unique knockouts ever, as she landed an up kick to the liver against Macy Chiasson.
Where Do You Aim For a Liver Shot?
To land a perfect liver shot, fighters will need to aim for the right side of the abdomen, right below the rib cage.
Boxer Ryan Garcia was able to land a perfect liver shot against his opponent, and you can visibly see his opponent attempting to 'Tough it out' until he can no longer handle it.
Here in case the link above doesn't work anymore. 😉
— World of MMA (@CM_fights) January 6, 2021
(via DAZN) pic.twitter.com/EI9fJt7Xry
This is what creates a 'Delayed Reaction' to the strike.