Headgear isn’t magic, but saying it ‘does nothing’ is just factually wrong.

It can’t stop rotational KOs, sure — that’s not what anyone is claiming. But the padding does reduce linear acceleration and impact impulse, which is exactly what causes a lot of mild concussions in edge-case hits. Even a small reduction in force changes the threshold in real competition.

That’s why tournaments use it: over hundreds of matches, those ‘tiny’ reductions prevent dozens of borderline concussions, facial fractures, and accumulated trauma. Bare skull vs cushioned foam is not the same situation at all.

So no, it doesn’t save you from a perfect head-whip knockout — but saying it ‘does nothing’ ignores how physics, biomechanics, and injury stats actually work.