UFC star Max Holloway has urged athletes to “take care of your brain” amid discussions about head injuries in American football.

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa last month suffered a third concussion inside two years, raising new questions about NFL head injury protocols.

Mixed martial arts fighter Holloway, 32, was asked about fellow Hawaiian Tagovailoa during a media conference before his featherweight title contest at the weekend.

He takes on champion Ilia Topuria at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

Tagovailoa is set to return to action on Sunday after clearing the NFL’s concussion testing protocols, but many pundits and ex-players have called for him to retire to protect his long-term health.

“[Tagovailoa] is an animal, the dude is worth so much money, he’s gotta know what he’s doing. But the main thing I would say is take care of your brain,” said Holloway.

“Learn about brain health. And do the right things. You only get one brain, guys, and once that starts deteriorating you can’t grow it back.”