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5 of the most gruesome injuries of 2024, so far

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5 of the most gruesome injuries of 2024, so far

As a long-time MMA enthusiast who has witnessed countless battles and injuries over the years, I must say that the stories of Formena, Alex Perez, and Drew Dober are truly eye-opening. Each of these fighters showcases an unwavering spirit and determination that is inspiring to fans like me.

This year, the UFC has been providing an abundance of exciting bouts that fight enthusiasts appreciate, often culminating in spectacular finishes. Notable examples include Justin Gaethje versus Max Holloway and Islam Makhachev against Dustin Poirier. Other matches might feature lesser-known fighters who still offer thrilling action, such as Amanda Lemos versus Virna Jandiroba and Drew Dober versus Jean Silva. While action is a significant aspect of mixed martial arts (MMA), the sport’s most challenging aspect may be injuries. Injuries can lead to fights being called off prematurely or force fighters to push through even more adversity than they are currently facing. Below, we will delve into five of the most gruesome injuries that occurred in 2024.

1. Manel Kape’s broken toe

2024 found me squaring off against Muhammad Mokaev at UFC 304 as two up-and-coming flyweights with a deep-seated rivalry. The buildup to the fight was intense, fueled by our ongoing feud, and everyone was expecting an explosive showdown. However, it turned out to be quite the opposite, as we both seemed hesitant for some reason. I suspect I held back due to the fear of his takedown attempts, despite demonstrating solid defense, while Mokaev may have been wary of my powerful counters when attempting takedowns.

Apart from Kape’s reluctance to fight, an injury occurred during his bout with Mokaev when he awkwardly stepped on his right foot, causing a broken toe. Despite trying to adjust it, the pain and discomfort seemed persistent, making the fight less engaging. It was evident that help was needed for his injured toe, but the fight continued. Unfortunately, Kape lost by unanimous decision, suggesting that injuries can sometimes dampen the excitement of fights. A similar instance happened in the highly anticipated match between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather; despite Pacquiao’s injured shoulder, he could not utilize both arms fully for punching, resulting in a less-than-spectacular event for many boxing enthusiasts.

2. Justin Gaethje’s broken nose

Gaethje vs. Holloway was one of the most anticipated fights of the year for UFC 300, one of the biggest cards in UFC history due to the number of fights with high star power. This was the first time the BMF belt was being defended as Islam Makhachev, the lightweight champion, was inactive while there was not a clear No. 1 contender. This was anticipated since both fighters always bring violence to their fights that are never boring. Holloway was a solid underdog coming in and many were saying this was a risky fight that could negatively change his career. He ended up surprising many people in April 2024 on fight night.

In the initial round, Holloway impressed everyone with his precise strikes that left Gaethje battered and bleeding, even managing a spinning kick to Gaethje’s face that fractured his nose. This early injury seemed to impact Gaethje’s stamina and resilience as the fight progressed. Fortunately, the bout maintained its thrilling pace, making it a strong contender for Fight of the Year. Yet, this incident underscores how injuries sustained during a match can potentially reduce a fighter’s chances of victory.

3. Jack Della Maddallena’s broken arm

At UFC 299, Jack Della Maddalena, who had been victorious in sixteen consecutive fights, faced off against seasoned veteran Gilbert Burns for a spot among the top five contenders. This was a closely contested match, as Maddalena aimed to keep the battle standing and secure a knockout while countering Burns’ wrestling moves. Meanwhile, Burns could emerge victorious by merely taking Maddalena down and finding an opening for a submission. Although Maddalena’s ability to resist takedowns appeared strong in his recent bouts, he was brought down seven times by Burns throughout the fight, forcing him to work hard for a comeback in the final round. Eventually, Maddalena connected with a knee to Burns’ face and followed up with ground strikes, securing a top-five ranking for himself.

During the match, it came to light that Maddalena sustained a broken arm during the first round when he blocked a head kick from Burns. Moreover, in an interview, he disclosed that he had staph infection prior to the fight, making things even more challenging for him. Despite being physically impaired due to his takedown defense issues, Maddalena demonstrated remarkable resilience by scrambling effectively throughout the fight.

4. Alex Perez’s blown-out knee

In his prime in 2020, Alex Perez appeared to possess considerable potential in the flyweight division, but things changed when he was submitted during his first title fight against Deiveson Figueiredo, who was the reigning champion at the time, in November of that year. Subsequent injuries led to a series of cancellations and inactivity for Perez over a four-year period. After being defeated by Alexandre Pantoja, the current flyweight champion, in July 2022, Perez made a comeback in March 2024. Although he lost to Mokaev, an undefeated young prospect, by unanimous decision, Perez was eager to avoid prolonged inactivity and accepted a main event fight against Mattheus Nicolau on short notice.

Following a successful, impressive knockout win that ended his losing run, Perez was eager to stay in action against any opponent and quickly signed up for another main event bout. His adversary turned out to be Tatsuro Taira, another unbeaten young prospect. In the early stages of their fight, Perez appeared strong as he dominated the stand-up exchanges, forcing Taira to struggle with his grappling strategy. However, in round two, Perez’s knee suffered a devastating injury when it was slammed onto the mat after Taira executed a takedown. This unfortunate incident resulted in an unsatisfying conclusion to what had been a highly entertaining and momentum-building fight.

5. Drew Dober’s eyebrow cut

Dobber is an experienced fighter in the lightweight category, known for his unyielding resilience and impressive punching strength. He may not be in the top tier, but he never fails to deliver exciting bouts that keep fight enthusiasts on their toes. Some of his most memorable performances include those against Brad Riddell, Rafael Alves, and Bobby Green, all of which lived up to expectations. Originally slated to battle Mike Davis, a promising newcomer, at UFC Denver, the match was called off when Davis sustained a bicep injury. Instead, Dobber will now face Jean Silva, an emerging force in the featherweight division known for his power.

In the match between Silva and Dober, Silva stood out as an exceptional dance partner due to his entertaining, powerful, and tough nature. The duel was a thrilling spectacle that left the crowd cheering with excitement. However, Silva’s attacks inflicted significant damage on Dober, causing his eyebrow to split open and bleed profusely. In the third round, the doctor decided to halt the fight due to concerns about further injury to Dober’s already bleeding eyebrow. Despite this, Dober still had a chance to win due to his toughness and ability to adapt during fights. Nevertheless, Dober’s injured eyebrow was the most severe wound of 2024.

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2024-08-30 04:13

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