By: Raul Rangel
It is no secret that the UFC has come under a harsh spell of injury-plagued events as of late. From fights on undercard to main events, it seems like not a week goes by without fighters dropping off somewhere. Now this isn’t new. And MMA as a sport is a more volatile enterprise than most when it comes to injury. Just the nature of the game, some might say.
UFC president Dana White has gone on record recently on the matter, eluding that cross-training between top fighters and camps may have something to do it.
“I’m numb to it now,” Dana says about injury concerns regarding events. “Last year when the stuff started happening it was devastating. Now, I’ve chalked it up to this is part of the business, part of the deal. I think what’s happening too and me and Joe Silva were talking about this tonight, you have so many talented guys out there now all in the same camp, going at it like they’re fighting for the title, these guys need to tone it down in training a bit and stop hurting each other.”
No matter what the reason for these event-altering circumstances, the main point is that nobody really intends to get injured, and nobody really wishes injury on anyone. Like Dana said, it’s just the nature of the beast in this, one of the most grueling of sports to train.
Be that as it may, one man’s misfortune is another’s opportunity and there are plenty of fighters that are eager for the opportunity to ‘answer the call’ for the UFC and step in for the organization when it really counts.
We’re talking about fighters like young Rory MacDonald, one of the fastest rising young stars in the UFC since Jon Jones and his training partner Georges St. Pierre. With a record of 13-1 and his only loss coming against interim divisional champion Carlos Condit, this Canadian will presumably be taking on former champ BJ Penn for a fast-track to the title contention. Much of this wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for injuries shifting the landscape at the top of the welterweight class.
Speaking of welterweights, another one eager to step up and make his own case for a title opportunity is Texas’ own Johny Hendricks. He began his own climb to the top in March 2011 with a fast knockout of fellow Texan TJ Waldburger (won KOTN honors). That fight would never have happened if his planned fight with Paulo Thiago earlier that month didn’t fall through due to injury. Fast track a year and two AKA victories later over Josh Koscheck and Jon Fitch and he now stands on the cusp of title contention.
Outside of title pictures, fighters on the undercard get their opportunities through injury situations as well.
Jamie Varner, a former WEC lightweight champion, was let go from his Zuffa contract after four fights with no victories to end his stint in the now-defunct organization. He subsequently went on a 3-1 streak in regional competition but earned his opportunity back when Evan Dunham was injured prior to his planned fight against undefeated Edson Barboza. Varner would then beat the Brazilian by first-round TKO to win his back into relevance this past May.
Likewise, it’s important to note that other fighters such as Texans Andrew Craig and Daniel Pineda got their initial call-ups to the octagon on short notice when other fighters dropped due to getting hurt. In short, being ready and waiting when that call comes is not without its merits.
Looking ahead, look for additional fighters step in to capture opportunity when the injury bugs strikes yet again (and it will… it always does).
Imagine Brock Lesnar, recently retired from MMA but currently going through some time of contract squabble with the WWE. He may have been done with MMA after his December loss to Alistair Overeem but there have been rumblings about him wanting to return. Most of that is conjecture at this point but given injuries to heavyweights Cain Velasquez and others, a turn by “The Next Big Thing” and his consistent 1 million PPV buy potential may be plausible, if not entirely unlikely.
As mentioned in the beginning of this piece, injuries have become an unfortunate reality in this sport. These things happen. For some, it means time on the shelf. But for others, it’s a golden opportunity to step up to the plate and show the world who they are.