UFC Edmonton injury report
UFC Edmonton injury report
Highlighting Amir Albazi's return from two surgeries.
The UFC returns to Edmonton, Canada this Saturday. In today’s MMAInjury pre-fight injury report, I look at one of the main event fighters who is returning from an injury absence; Amir Albazi.
Albazi’s last fight was June of last year, a split decision victory over Kai Kara-France. It was soon after this fight that his health and injury problems started.
In November, Albazi was diagnosed with a heart condition and had to undergo a procedure to resolve the issue. He apparently had tachycardia. This is an abnormally high heart rate. In a recent interview, Albazi stated that his heart rate was at 240 beats per minute, and it would “just go by itself.” This means that his heart rate was probably at this abnormally high level while at rest.
While Amir hasn’t revealed the specifics, one of the more common procedures used to address tachycardia is called ablation. This is a technique used to strategically destroy abnormal tissue in the heart that is causing the rapid beat, and restore normal function.
Albazi recovered well from the heart procedure. But his problems were compounded when he suffered a cervical (neck) injury during training camp for his first scheduled fight vs Brandon Moreno. He had a herniated disc in his cervical spine that was causing weakness in his left arm due to spinal cord compression.
Amir underwent cervical surgery in January of this year. I haven’t confirmed the specifics of this procedure, but he has referenced having ‘titanium’ in his neck now. I suspect that he had a single-level fusion surgery.
We’re seeing more fighters who are having an alternative surgery- cervical disc replacement- instead of fusions, to address issues similar to Albazi’s. Aljamain Sterling and Court McGee are two active UFC fighters who have had the disc replacement.
If you have read my 2022 article on Aljamain Sterling’s return from disc replacement surgery, you are aware of the key indicators that I watch for when a fighter with a neck injury/surgery returns to compete. I summarize those indicators here.
How will Albazi respond if he gets into a position with direct force being applied to his neck? This would include a guillotine, or a clinch that forces the head and neck into a hyper-flexed position.
How will he respond if he is pressured up against the cage? This is a position that can necessitate sustained isometric contraction of upper extremity muscle groups, including those in his left arm that were potentially compromised by his neck injury. Will muscle fatigue become more evident than it would absent the injury?
How crisp will his left hand strikes/jabs be?
Will there be signs of hesitation if he shoots aggressively for a takedown?
We have to assume Albazi is 100% ready to go at this point. Brandon Moreno is a tough test for anyone, especially when returning from a surgery layoff. My pick for this fight is Moreno via decision!
UFC Edmonton is set for this Saturday, November 2nd, from Rogers Place in Edmonton, Canada.