Most ear guard advice skips the mechanism. Understanding the biology of cauliflower ear — how the perichondrium separates, why fluid accumulates, and when the prevention window closes — changes how no-gi grapplers think about protection.
Most ear guard articles address prevention. This guide covers what happens after the damage starts — how ear guards function on already-injured tissue, what changes when you drain, and how no-gi practitioners manage cauliflower ear long-term.
Cauliflower ear isn’t a badge of honor you have to earn on the mats. Here’s what actually causes it during no-gi grappling, why headgear works, and how to wear ear guards without wrecking your rolls.