The scenes at UFC 250 at the White House are one-of-a-kind.
With the historic home of the President in the background, some of the best mixed martial artists in the world are in the Octagon clashing.
There’s so much catching the attention of everyone watching, but something small is actually particularly intriguing to the audience.
Before each fight, the competitors have Vaseline smeared on their face and their mouth.
It’s a pretty universal tactic, and there’s a good reason for it.
Why do UFC fighters get Vaseline?
It’s all about the effect Vaseline has on the skin.
The petroleum jelly reduce skin friction by keeping it softer and more stretchy.
In essence, it prevents the skin from drying out.
Dry skin is easier to cut.
If the skin is more slippery, punches and kicks don’t quite grab on the skin with the same amount of friction.
Less friction on the skin means less cuts.
Fighters don’t want to compete with lacerations on their face if they can help it, so this little tactic helps prevent that as best as they can.
Clearly, the right kind of contact can still cut open a face, but they’ll do anything they can to have a slightly better chance, and this is a universally accepted move.
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