Men are now getting ‘cauliflower ears’ surgery to look like MMA fighters

A new trend is emerging where men are undergoing plastic surgery on their ears to make them look like fighters.

Many boxers, MMA fighters, and even rugby players have misshaped ears widely known as cauliflower ear.

The permanent deformity is caused by blunt trauma or repeated friction from hits to the ear.

With the manosphere putting huge focus on ‘looksmaxxing’ the latest aspect of this appears to be damaging your own ears in an effort to look more intimidating.

Otolaryngologist Marat Gasanov says this is becoming increasingly popular, with the procedure seeing the ear compressed to make them look like that of an MMA star.

The Russian plastic surgeon says the procedure costs 6,000 ruble (€64) per ear and clients can choose the intensity and location of the fracture.

Psychologist Ekaterina Trofimova estimated that the trend was from a desire of needing security.

‘A person skilled in martial arts may appear indistinguishable from any ordinary person,’ she told Mockba 24. ‘However, they exude a special calm and confidence that others can intuitively detect.

‘They don’t need to display ostentatious masculinity.’

She added that the ‘camouflage’ can cause confusion amongst peers due to no work actually going into sustaining the appearance.

Of course, the procedure comes with its warnings and consequences.

Otorhinolaryngologist Daria Kharina warned of complications like infection that could happen as a result of undergoing the strange procedure.

Potential infections could result in long-term damage and even ear loss in more serious cases.

It’s the latest in a list of extreme methods of maximising one’s appearance.

The trend is branded ‘looksmaxxing’ and has seen influencers in the manosphere doing bizarre things for their appearance.

This includes ‘bonesmashing,’ where one changes their facial appearance by hitting themselves with a hammer.