UFC Star Rose Namajunas Faces Painful Recovery After Serious Eye Injury
UFC star Rose Namajunas is enduring a difficult period following her recent bout, as she has disclosed a severe eye injury that will impact her daily life for several months. The former two-time UFC Women's Strawweight Champion suffered a unanimous decision loss to Natalia Silva at UFC 324 on Saturday night, but the physical damage from the fight has become her primary concern.
Surgery and Long-Term Implications
Shortly after the fight, Namajunas revealed that she must undergo immediate surgery and will have a silicone tube placed in her eye for three months. This medical intervention means she will be unable to sneeze or blow her nose during her recovery phase. The injury resulted from multiple eye pokes during the contest, causing deep damage to her eyelid and tear duct.
Namajunas provided this update on The Ariel Helwani Show, where she detailed the situation in her own words and confirmed the urgency of the surgical procedure. Subsequent photos showed her seated on a hospital bed as she prepared for the operation. For the 33-year-old fighter, the focus has now shifted entirely to her recovery journey.
Detailed Explanation of the Injury
During her appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Rose Namajunas elaborated on the severity of her injury and why surgery was unavoidable. She stated, "I am headed into surgery. Canalicular tube surgery. I got poked in the eye a few times in the fight, but my tube is torn, so it is going to be repaired right now. I am going to have a silicone tube in my eye for three months, so please pray for me. I am just glad we can get it fixed."
Ariel Helwani later supplemented these details after receiving photographs from Namajunas' team. He explained, "One of the eye pokes cut the inside of her eyelid all the way into the tear duct. She will have to keep a tube in her eye for three months, and she will not be able to sneeze or blow her nose."
Broader Concerns About Eye Safety in UFC
This incident has sparked renewed discussions about eye safety protocols in UFC fights. It follows closely on the heels of another eye-related issue involving British UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall. In October at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi, Aspinall's match ended in a no contest after he sustained strikes to his eyes.
He later shared medical reports on Instagram, highlighting problems such as double vision and restricted eye movement. On his YouTube channel, Tom Aspinall remarked, "We have to see how it goes over the next few weeks. I am not in the gym training right now. I am just following the doctor's orders." He added that he would only consider a rematch once he has fully regained his health.
Focus on Healing and Recovery
For Rose Namajunas, the immediate priority is healing. The surgical procedure offers a pathway to recovery, but it will demand considerable time, patience, and meticulous care. This situation underscores the physical risks athletes face in combat sports and highlights the importance of stringent safety measures to prevent such injuries.
