| Rabbit Punch | |
|---|---|
 A depiction of a rabbit punch, an illegal strike to the back of the head. | |
| Martial art | Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) |
A rabbit punch is a blow delivered to the back of the head or to the base of the skull, notorious for its potential to cause severe and irreversible injuries, including spinal cord injury or even instant death.
The term "rabbit punch" dates back to the early 20th century, [1] which derives from a hunting technique where a quick, sharp strike to the back of a rabbit's head was used to ensure a swift kill without damaging the fur, considered a humane method for killing injured or trapped rabbits. [2]
Rabbit punches are illegal across all major combat sports, including boxing, [3] MMA, [4] and other combat sports [5] that involve striking due to the significant risk they pose to the spinal cord and brain stem. Such strikes can lead to catastrophic injuries, including paralysis, severe brain damage, or death, due to the vulnerability of the back of the head and neck area. The only exceptions are no-holds-barred events such as the International Vale Tudo Championship (prior to rule changes in mid-2012). [6]
Several high-profile incidents have underscored the dangers of rabbit punches:
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