👊💥 What really happened? That’s the question everyone asks when they hear about my injury story. Well, let me take you back and tell you all about it—the pain, the struggle, and the comeback. It’s been a journey, and I wouldn’t be here without sharing some hard-earned lessons.

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The Clay Guida Fight: Fighting Through the Swollen Knee
It all started back in February 2020, just before my fight with the legendary Clay Guida. I remember feeling my knee swell up like a softball. 😱 I had to get it drained before stepping into the ring. But as a fighter, there’s no way I was going to pass up that opportunity, right? I thought I could just push through the pain. After all, that’s what fighters do—we fight. 💪

After the fight, I knew something was wrong. I wasn’t performing like I knew I could. It wasn’t just a loss; it was my fourth consecutive defeat. I couldn’t understand why. My mind was sharp, but my body? Not so much. It just wasn’t responding the way it used to, and I needed answers. 😔

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Neck Injury: The Fight with Khabib
Let’s rewind a bit further, back to my fight with Khabib in 2016. That fight left me with a herniated disc in my neck—a serious injury I was terrified of. Surgery? No way! The thought of someone operating on my neck scared me more than any opponent ever could. 🤕 Instead, I chose to tough it out, thinking that I could just power through the pain. I was wrong.

For years, I avoided surgery. I tried everything—physical therapy, medications, cortisone shots—but nothing seemed to work. The pain only got worse. I couldn’t even turn my head properly. Still, I kept training and fighting, refusing to let anyone touch my neck. That tough-guy mentality was killing me, but I didn’t realize it at the time. 🤦‍♂️

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The Lesson: Don’t Ignore the Pain
Hindsight is always 20/20, right? Looking back, I wish I had handled things differently. I should’ve taken the time to heal properly instead of jumping back into the ring with injuries that only worsened. Had I taken six months to a year off, I probably would’ve had a longer, more successful career. 🎯

But like many athletes, I didn’t want to be sidelined. Whether you’re in the UFC, on a football field, or in the military, you don’t want to be the one who sits out because of an injury. I get it. But trust me, it catches up with you. The sooner you take care of yourself, the better off you’ll be in the long run. 🏃‍♂️

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Surgery and Recovery: Finally Taking Action
Fast forward to 2021. After years of avoiding surgery, I finally decided to get my neck fixed in March 2022. This was after three surgeries back to back—the neck, the knee, and the ankle. Talk about a rough year! 🛌 But it had to be done. The artificial disc surgery I got in L.A. changed everything for me.

For the first time in years, I felt like myself again. The pain subsided, my mobility improved, and I was finally able to train and fight like I used to. 🙌

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Conclusion: Lessons Learned
The lesson here? Don’t wait until it’s too late to address an injury. That tough-guy mentality can cost you your career—or worse, your health. If you take care of your body, your body will take care of you. Learn from my mistakes, and don’t be afraid to take the time you need to heal. 💯