Mixed martial arts athletes are known for their unpredictability and the physical demands of the sport often lead to injuries. Despite this, some competitors opt for extravagant walkouts, and one man learned the consequences firsthand.
Miguel Grijalva’s flashy entrance into the octagon, featuring jumps and juggling, ended in disaster as he sprained his knee before FFC64 even began. He had to withdraw from the clash, and MartÃn Mollinedo emerged as the victor.
Fortunately for Grijalva, the injury occurred before the bout started, sparing his professional record any blemishes.
Grijalva’s record remains 8 wins and 0 losses while his opponent has a spottier record at 26 wins and 11 losses.
Just last year, TJ Dillashaw and Brian Ortega popped their shoulders. Aleksandar Rakic, Tom Aspinall and more shredded their knee ligaments. There are suspicions about all these events that they were going in already injured, in order to secure their medical expenses being covered.
UFC famously provides sporadic coverage for issues that arise during a camp, however they do provide medical coverage for injuries sustained during bouts.
The UFC has seen injuries during early moments in round 1, but not during walkouts.
Athletes are usually advised against over-the-top antics during entrances for their own safety. Typically, they might dance or run their way to the cage, avoiding any unnecessary risks.
In a past incident during UFC 289 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, there was a mishap in the crowd when a barricade collapsed during a walkout. Welterweight Mike Malott was on his way to the octagon when this happened.
Thankfully, no serious injuries occurred, but a few minor injuries were reported. Despite the disruption, the events proceeded smoothly. Mike Malott went on to tap out his opponent, Adam Fugitt, in the second round, earning a $50,000 performance bonus.
UFC President Dana White commended the arena’s quick response and handling of the situation, ensuring the safety of all involved. As MMA remains a physically demanding and sometimes unpredictable sport, athletes and organizers should prioritize safety above all else.
Since 2014, Benny A. King has been fully immersed in the world of combat sports. Starting with a blog about Greco Roman wrestling, Benny’s passion for combat sports has led him to explore various disciplines.