Rose Namajunas Cleared to Train After Grueling Eye Surgery Recovery
Former UFC champion Rose Namajunas has provided a raw and revealing update on her injury recovery, sharing a video that depicts the removal of a silicone tube from her eye. The footage, while difficult to watch, marks a decisive and positive turn in her journey back to the octagon after months of uncertainty and setbacks.
A Graphic Glimpse into Recovery and Relief
In the video posted this week, Namajunas can be heard reacting with discomfort as the tube is extracted. "Oh God, that is not what I thought it was gonna be," she exclaimed. Despite the unpleasant moment, the update brings significant relief, as she confirmed she is now fully cleared to resume training nearly three months after undergoing canalicular tube surgery.
The injury originated from her January bout against Natalia Silva at UFC 324 in Las Vegas, where repeated eye pokes caused severe damage to her tear duct, leading to a close decision loss. The damage was so extensive that it required immediate surgical intervention.
The Road to Recovery: Surgery and Setbacks
Before the procedure in January, Namajunas explained the severity. "I'm headed into surgery for canalicular tube surgery. I got poked in the eye a few times in the fight. My tube is torn so it's going to be repaired. I'm going to have a silicone tube in my eye for three months," she said, asking for prayers and expressing gratitude that it could be fixed.
The recovery process imposed strict limitations, including prohibitions against sneezing or blowing her nose for weeks, highlighting the delicate nature of the injury. Reflecting on the fight, Namajunas admitted frustration over not protesting the eye pokes to officials during the match. "I'm upset because I got poked in the eye in the second round, couldn't see after that. I was so locked in. I wish I would have protested," she revealed.
Moving Forward with a Call for Change
With clearance granted, Namajunas is now focused on returning to fighting form. In a social media post, she wrote, "So you wanna be a fighter? Three months, and now I'm healthy, finally. Thumb and eye are all fixed up. I'm a bit out of shape, but I'm cleared to train now."
However, her update included a strong plea for increased safety measures in the sport. She emphasized the need for stricter penalties for eye pokes, proposing instant purse deductions even for accidental incidents. "I really hope eye pokes will be taken more seriously in the future. I propose instant purse deduction even for an accident. An accident that could seriously affect a fighter's health long-term," she stated, while expressing gratitude that her injury was not more severe.
This injury update not only signals Rose Namajunas' imminent return to competition but also sparks an important conversation about fighter safety and regulatory reforms in mixed martial arts.
