Introduction and Injury Overview

💥 Sometimes life hits hard, and in the world of combat sports, it can hit even harder—literally. Our guest today takes us behind the scenes of a career marked by incredible highs and gut-wrenching lows. In this conversation, we’ll dive deep into the brutal realities of fighting, enduring injuries, and the long, agonizing road to recovery.

“Man, what didn’t happen with the injury?”—these words kicked off our discussion, as we explored the emotional and physical battle that followed three back-to-back surgeries. For those who don’t know, after a grueling match in February 2020 against Clay Guida, things took a turn for the worse. 😖

The Fight with Clay Guida and Pre-Fight Struggles

Imagine walking into a fight with your knee swollen to the size of a softball. That was the scenario before the match with Clay. Determined not to miss an opportunity, he fought despite the obvious physical limitations. “I need to fight this one,” he said. But post-fight, the realization that something was wrong finally hit. This was the fourth loss in a row, and it was starting to feel like more than just bad luck. “Maybe my body just isn’t firing like it should,” he admitted. The struggle of balancing mind over matter became real. 🥊

The Neck Injury That Changed Everything

While preparing for the fight against Khabib back in 2016, a neck injury reared its ugly head. A herniated disc, the big one, became the catalyst for a slow but painful decline in performance. Like any tough fighter, he tried to avoid surgery. For years, he lived with the pain, even though he could barely turn his neck. “I was walking like a mummy,” he recalled. 😱

Despite these severe limitations, he continued training and fighting, relying on cortisone shots and physical therapy. The idea of surgery terrified him, and so he pushed through, hiding the pain. Reflecting on it, he admits, “I should’ve gotten it fixed right away.” The lesson here? Sometimes, taking time off to heal isn’t a setback—it’s a way to ensure longevity. 💡

Years of Fighting Through the Pain

The years after that neck injury were rough, filled with physical therapy, shots, and moments of doubt. The relentless tingling in his arm and weakened grip became his new normal. Despite it all, he continued stepping into the ring. “I just didn’t want to sit out and lose that time. I didn’t want to be taken off my team.” 🏋️‍♂️

It’s not uncommon in sports to keep going, to ignore the signs. But the reality is, ignoring these warnings can shorten careers. This mindset—pushing through at all costs—often leads to later complications. “I could’ve had a much longer and better career if I had just taken care of myself.”

The Final Decision: Surgery

It wasn’t until years later, in March 2022, that he finally decided to get the necessary surgeries. Back-to-back-to-back: knee, neck, and ankle. The fighter explained, “I got them all done one after the other, with barely any recovery time in between.” 😓

The knee surgery came first, then the neck, and finally the ankle. All of these injuries were sustained through years of brutal matches, leading up to the Clay Guida fight. For a long time, it felt like he was just patching himself up to keep going, never fully healing. But now, after completing these surgeries, he’s back in fighting form.

Conclusion: A New Chapter of Strength

Looking back on the journey, there are lessons for everyone—athletes, fighters, and even regular folks who push through pain without considering the long-term consequences. The fight to stay relevant and keep earning often outweighs common sense. But as our guest shows, there’s always an opportunity to heal and come back stronger. 💪

Stay tuned for more stories of grit, pain, and perseverance. Sometimes, taking a step back is the hardest thing a fighter can do—but it’s also the most rewarding.