3 rounds of action: FO scores MMA’s hottest stories

Round 1: STRUVE HEART CONDITION COULD FORCE RETIREMENT

An unusual heart issue could mean 25-year-old UFC heavyweight Stefan Struve has to hang up his gloves. The seven-foot Dutchman has been found to have a leaking aortic valve and enlarged heart.

Struve’s manager, Lex McMahon, explained: “The aortic valve regulates blood flow from the heart into the aorta, the major blood vessel that brings blood to the body. In combination with the enlarged heart it causes his heart to only pump 70% of the blood into the aorta and then the rest of his body, and the remaining 30% ends up back in the heart chamber.”

Although he is allowed to do light cardio, Struve is currently taking medication for the condition and the best course of action is set to be decided at the end of the treatment.

Surgery is likely, although Struve remains optimistic of his chances of returning to the Octagon.

He told The MMA Hour: “It needs to heal really good (after surgery). You need to take your time with that. But, I got a lot of messages from a lot of people who practice a lot of sports, and I got messages that people did a triathlon about four months later.”

FO SCORE: Another heart problem for a second UFC marquee name inside six months (the other being Dan Hardy) is highly unusual. Hopefully Struve can return to competition, should he desire, and continue to put on the kind of contests that made him a fan favorite.

Round 2: UFC FEATHERWEIGHT MATT GRICE CRITICALLY INJURED IN CAR CRASH

A car crash in September has left UFC featherweight Matt Grice in intensive care. According to reports, Grice’s Jeep was struck from behind in Oklahoma while stationary at a red light, sending the fighter’s vehicle into another car. Grice underwent brain surgery, and was still in a critical condition at the time of going to press. He last fought in a ‘Fight of the Year’ candidate, a split decision loss to Dennis Bermudez in February.

FO SCORE: This is terrible news, and the entire MMA community is wishing Matt a full recovery.

Round 3: EX UFC CHAMP SHERK RETIRES CITING HIP INJURIES

Former UFC lightweight champion Sean Sherk recently announced his retirement from MMA, three years after his last bout. Chronic hip problems now mean the 40-year-old 36-4-1 ‘Muscle Shark’ must undergo hip replacement surgery, putting an end to his competitive MMA career.

FO SCORE: Despite Sherk having his 155lb title stripped because of a positive drug test showing steroids in his system (he vehemently denied using PEDs), the fact he found significant success fighting far out of his weight class for most of his career, coupled with the title win, means his legacy remains.

ON THE RADAR

Three red-hot prospects worth keeping an eye on...

Vyacheslav Vasilevsky, 22-2

Despite just going 1-1 in Bellator in 2012, ‘Slava’ remains a viable future prospect. At just 25, he’s got 24 MMA bouts under his belt in addition to experience in combat sambo and kickboxing competition – though has a somewhat limited ground game. Despite often being a slow starter, the middleweight Russian has never been stopped and shown an ability to fight through adversity, such as the first-round knockdown against veteran Trevor Prangley en route to a decision in August. With Russia in the UFC’s plans for expansion don’t be surprised to see them take an interest in the powerful striker.

Mario Israel, 9-0

Jungle Fight bantamweight champion Mario Israel got his title and undefeated, nine-fight run thanks, in part, to his heavy hands and tough chin. He’s sometimes faced underwhelming competition, and he doesn’t have truly elite skills in any one area, but a 100% stoppage rate (six by knockout, three by submission) is hard to argue with.

George Sullivan, 14-3 (1 NC)

Even though New Jersey’s George Sullivan’s stand-up might get a little untidy it hasn’t stopped him putting away 10 of his 18 opponents with strikes. Nor has it seen the reverse, and with him defending his Cage Fury welterweight title four times the 32-year-old has proven he has the work ethic inside and outside the ring to give his opponents problems. Whether he could find success in the UFC remains to be seen but it would appear he’s certainly earned the chance to find out.

QUOTES

“A lot of paper gets pushed around, pencils are moved, some are dropped if there’s hot chicks in the room and you want them to pick ‘em up. But either way, you just go to the business table and you do what you got to do.”

Sounds like Josh Barnett’s kind of contract negotiations are followed by court cases.

“I do miss it (MMA), but I’ve got to keep myself in check. What I went through (diverticulitis) the last few years was quite traumatic, not being able to fight like I wanted. I got back on the horse way too soon. Coulda, shoulda, woulda. That chapter in my life has come to closure, and I’m comfortable with it.”

The UFC heavyweight division was an even more interesting place with Brock Lesnar in it.

“I can’t go shake hands with Dana, or go have a cup of coffee. How would that look if I’m hanging out with some team and the other team sees me buddying up with them? It’s a lonely job.”

Referee Steve Mazzagatti, unfortunately for him probably one of the most disliked men in MMA.

“It was very good for the women’s division, and I think it definitely needed to happen, but you couldn’t pay me $10 million to do it again.”

Does Ronda Rousey’s appraisal of her TUF 18 experience say it all?

“This is a six-week thing. It’s not like you can really hide who you are over a six-week course. The cameras are always there. I think people are finally starting to realize exactly why I haven’t been able to get along with her and what the problem has been.”

TUF 18 coach Miesha Tate isn’t trying hard to hide her glee Ronda Rousey might come out of their series looking like the bad guy.

STAR SIGHTING: CRAIG ROBINSON

Who? Actor and comedian

Where? UFC Fight Night 26, Boston, Massachusetts

Not only was the Hot Tub Time Machine and The Office actor at the TD Garden for the night of fights to launch Fox Sports 1 in the US, he was also spotted on the Instagram timeline of bantamweight favorite Urijah Faber ‘helping’ him fill up post weigh-in for an informal comedy skit.