UFC star Rose Namajunas will be bearing the physical and emotional scars of her recent defeat for a significant period, with medical professionals confirming a recovery timeline of at least three months. The former two-time UFC Women's Strawweight Champion returned to the octagon at UFC 324 for a highly anticipated bout against Natalia Silva, which ultimately concluded with a unanimous decision loss for the American fighter.
Serious Surgical Intervention Required
The 33-year-old athlete suffered more than just a defeat on the scorecards during Saturday night's contest. Namajunas revealed the gruesome extent of her injuries during an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, where she disclosed that multiple eye pokes from her Brazilian opponent caused lasting damage requiring immediate medical attention.
'I'm headed into surgery. Canalicular tube surgery,' Namajunas explained during the emotional interview. 'I got poked in the eye a few times in the fight, but my tube is torn, so it's going to be repaired right now. I'm going to have a silicone tube in my eye. Three months, so pray for me, guys. Just glad we can get it fixed.'
Detailed Medical Assessment
MMA journalist Ariel Helwani provided additional context about the severity of the injury, explaining that one particularly damaging eye poke cut the inside of her eyelid all the way into the tear duct. This laceration necessitates the insertion of a silicone tube that must remain in place for the full three-month recovery period.
Helwani further noted that during this recovery window, Namajunas will not be able to sneeze or blow her nose without risking complications to the delicate surgical repair. Photographs shared by Namajunas' team showed the flyweight contender seated on a hospital bed in preparation for the urgent procedure that took place later that same evening.
Disturbing Pattern of Eye Injuries in UFC
This worrying development follows another high-profile eye injury incident involving British UFC star Tom Aspinall, whose own career was recently disrupted by similar circumstances. During his heavyweight title defense at UFC 321 in October, Aspinall suffered multiple eye pokes from opponent Ciryl Gane that resulted in a rare eye condition.
The anticlimactic contest ended via no contest after just four minutes when Aspinall was rushed to hospital struggling with his vision. Subsequent medical reports revealed the British champion has been experiencing double vision, reduced eye motility, visual function impairment, and substantial field loss.
Parallel Recovery Journeys
Medical documentation shared by Aspinall indicated that 'depending on clinical progression, targeted periocular steroid injections or surgical intervention to address persistent motility impairment may be required if symptoms fail to resolve.' The 32-year-old has temporarily suspended all training activities while following doctor's orders.
'We've got to see how it goes over the next few weeks,' Aspinall stated on his YouTube channel. 'I'm not in the gym training at the moment. I'm not doing anything MMA wise at the moment. I'm just following the doctor's orders right now.' Despite the setback, he expressed determination to eventually secure a rematch with Gane when medically cleared.
Career Implications for Namajunas
This defeat marks Namajunas' first loss since November 2024, temporarily halting her momentum in the competitive flyweight division. The former champion, who has held UFC gold on two separate occasions during her illustrious career, now faces an extended period away from competition during her recovery.
The incident raises further questions about fighter safety protocols regarding eye pokes in mixed martial arts, particularly as this represents the second high-profile case in recent months. Both Namajunas and Aspinall's situations highlight the potentially career-altering consequences of what might initially appear as incidental contact during heated exchanges.
As Namajunas begins her three-month rehabilitation journey with the silicone tube in place, the MMA community watches with concern, hoping for her full recovery and eventual return to the octagon where she has previously demonstrated championship-caliber skills and resilience.
