Issue 181
November -0001
Injury has blighted many a career in MMA with some fighters forced to retire when in touching distance of glory. Here are eight who could have achieved more
James Wilks
The TUF series 9 winner suffered extensive injuries including fractured vertebrae from playing rugby as a teen. Wilks retired in 2012 when doctors told him he faced “significantly high risk of paralysis” if he continued fighting.
Forrest Griffin
The one-time light heavyweight champ claimed he was “fighting with one arm for 3 years” and his retirement was announced in 2013 after a long career of injuries finally took their tole on the UFC hall of famer.
Kenny Florian
When TUF 1 finalist Kenny Florian decided to make the jump back up to Lightweight he was met with numbness in his right leg due to a back injury. He retired in May 2012 on the advice of multiple doctors.
Bas Rutten
After becoming UFC heavyweight champion in 1999, Rutten dropped down to a more natural weight but due to multiple injuries he was forced to retire. He returned for one fight in 2006 but never made it back to the UFC.
Alan Belcher
Belcher suffered multiple eye injuries during his stint with UFC most notably was in his final bout against Michael Bisping when the fight was stopped due to an inadvertent eye poke. His eye never fully healed and he quit in 2015.
Jamie Varner
Despite suffering only one KO in his career Jamie Varner, doctors told Varner he had suffered over 30 concussions in his life. The former WEC Lightweight Champion retired in the octagon nine days later after his submission loss to Drew Dober in 2014.
Chris Holdsworth
Team Alpha Male looked to have another hot prospect in the bantamweight division with TUF season 18 winner, but Holdsworth's career appears to have been cut short due to concussion from an illegal knee in training from former teammate TJ Dillashaw.
TJ Grant
After dropping down to Lightweight and winning five straight fights, TJ Grant was set to challenge for the UFC title but he suffered concussions in training, after which he was unable to return to the Octagon.
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