Here is an update on several UFC fighters who have injuries and/or medical issues.

Our biggest concern lies with UFC light-heavyweight Steve Cantwell after Dana White said that the medical reasons which forced the former WEC fighter to withdraw from UFC 108 could be career-ending.

No details on Cantwell's actual medical issue have been released, but the NSAC's Keith Kizer has revealed to MMAJunkie that Cantwell was unable to receive a license from the commission, and provided the following explanation:

"What [fighters] have to do is they have to go get a physical, blood work, eye exams, and all this other stuff, and have their doctor sign off on it then send it all in.  Then we clear them. I guess on one of the medicals, and I'm not going to get into what it was, he was having an issue getting a clearance on something.

It may be something that's a short-term problem, and he'll be back fighting next month, or it may be something that's a long-term problem. Officially, he was unable to submit all the required medical test results to get licensed, so there's just been no license issued, just like anyone else who has an incomplete application. But whatever the issue was, hopefully he'll fix (it) medically and be able to fight again this year."

In a frighteningly literal example of how dangerous and damaging Paul "Semtex" Daley's punching power can be, the post-UFC 108 medical analysis for Dustin Hazelett states that the talented submissionist sustained a "right orbital blowout and nasal fractures" and will be suspended until March 4th with no contact until February 2nd.  Hazelett must receive medical clearance from a qualified specialist or he will be on suspension until July 2nd.  Hey, they don't call him "Semtex" for nothing.

ATT fighter Thiago Silva turned in a rather unique performance against Rashad Evans at UFC 108.  After succumbing to Rashad's cleverly set-up takedowns in the first two rounds and mounting little to no offense, Thiago began mocking Rashad for the wildly erratic and overexaggerated (yet very effective) head movement he was employing, and then topped off his impersonation of Rashad by bombing him with a stiff right that wobbled him.

The surprising catch about the turnaround in momentum was that Silva didn't seem to capitalize on this opportunity and pounce for the finish, which was his only prayer for a victory after Rashad had clearly notched rounds 1 and 2 on the scorecards.  There were rumors aplenty leading into UFC 108 that Thiago was injured, but did not want to remove himself from the bout due to the outrageous amounts of injuries that plagued the event--but these were adamantly denied by Thiago's camp, who said, "Thiago is 100 percent and he's busy preparing for this fight."

That comment came from Alex Davis, who then issued a contrasting statement after UFC 108 that Thiago had been struggling with an injured back and was unable to train properly.


"The rumor came out that it was an ankle injury.  Actually, it was not an ankle injury; it was a back injury.

What happened is that Thiago had a choice. His back was hurt, and he could not wrestle. He could not do takedown defense. He could not practice the exact thing that he needed most against Rashad. But we know the problems with the UFC. We could see everything that was happening, and we made the decision to take this fight and stay with it regardless of the fact that he wasn't able to come in in top shape for that kind of fight."

Even though this hasn't been confirmed as legitimate, I will also include a Facebook post about ailing heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar that claims, "NEW UPDATE!! Brock has had more problems (we can't say what they are) and he could be out all of this year if things don't get better. Brock wants to thank all of his fans for their support and for the nice messages so thanks guys."

The Garv would like to wish a speedy recovery to all of the ailing UFC fighters who put their lives and health on the line for our entertainment.

 

 

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