Neymar is a Brazilian football star. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Star of the Brazilian National Team and Al Hilal, Neymar saddened some of the fans with the confirmation of a serious knee injury (rupture in the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus). The series of injuries suffered by the player resembles the drama experienced by some of MMA's biggest stars, or promises of the sport, whose careers were damaged by recurring traumas.
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Tatiana Suarez placeholder image in victory over Jessica Pile Driver. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram[/caption]
The fans who, today, follow Tatiana Suarez placeholder image as a standout in the UFC's top 3 strawweights (up to 52,1kg), they may not remember the past of injuries that delayed the American's success in MMA. In 2012, even before entering mixed martial arts, the athlete battled thyroid cancer, a drama that prevented the fighter from competing in the Olympics for her country.
In 2019, already as a representative of mixed martial arts, the fighter suffered a neck injury and, between that season and 2023, the athlete was unable to compete.
Recovered, Suarez seems to have found stability in her career. This year, at 32, the strawweight made two appearances. The North American has not had two fights in 12 months since 2018. Currently, the fighter is a strong candidate for the future fight for the flyweight throne.
2) Dominick Cruz
D. Cruz is a former UFC bantamweight champion. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Considered by many to be the best bantamweight (up to 61,2kg) in the history of MMA, Dominick Cruz is another star who, despite his stardom in the sport, had his career delayed by repeated injuries. The first champion of the category in Ultimate, the North American wore the company's belt for the first time in 2010, however, he saw his reign threatened more by injuries than by potential rivals.
The constant trauma to his knee forced Ultimate to take drastic measures to ensure Cruz remained at the top of his category. Between 2012 and 2019, the division icon had four important challenges canceled due to physical problems. In the challenge against Uriah Hall, for example, in a challenge that would take place at UFC 148, Dominick ended up tearing his knee ligaments.
Among the injuries were confirmed groin injuries (he would fight against Renan Barao, in 2014), broken arm (he would face Jimmie rivera, in 2017) and a shoulder injury (he would be John Lineker's opponent in 2019).
In 2011, the organization took a drastic stance and stripped Cruz of his belt due to his time of inactivity. The athlete would regain the throne in 2016 and maintain the reign until the clash against cody garbrandt at UFC 207.
Today, a 38-year-old veteran, Cruz remains a standout in the division. Even though he is far from his peak, the fighter is ranked ninth in the group led by Sean O'Malley.
3) Anderson Silva
A. Silva (photo) chose his UFC 'Mount Rushmore'. Photo: Reproduction / Twitter UFC_Brasil
He who, for many, is the greatest MMA representative of all time, Anderson Silva He also experienced drama and fought against his own body during his career. Despite an impeccable trajectory at his peak, in 2013, the Brazilian shocked the world by starring in one of the most agonizing images in UFC history.
In revenge against Chris Weidman, an undefeated North American who, months before, had taken the title that the São Paulo native had held since 2006, 'Spider' ended up suffering a frightening fracture in his leg. The fatality sidelined the Brazilian MMA star for more than a season.
Recovered, Silva continued competing in Ultimate, but, despite being exciting, he did not accumulate victories like in previous years. At the end of 2020, after a negative outlook, the fighter chose to break his ties with the company chaired by Dana White.
4) Shane Carwin
Brock Lesnar (left) greets Shane carwin (right) before UFC title fight. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
The athlete ranked number four, like Cruz and Anderson, went on to win a UFC belt. Shane carwin, former heavyweight representative, had a successful stint in professional MMA.
Arriving in Ultimate in 2008, the heavyweight (up to 120,2kg) was undefeated in eight challenges. Versatile, the athlete competed for the interim belt in the category in 2010, when he knocked out Frank mir.
After being overcome by Brock Lesnar In the confrontation for the unification of the throne, Shane had another stumble. The setback to Junior Gypsy, in 2011, had an unprecedented flavor in his career, as the fighter had never suffered two consecutive setbacks.
In addition to the stumble, the challenge against the Brazilian represented Carwim's farewell to professional MMA. In the following years, the athlete struggled with injuries and after unsuccessful attempts to return, he announced his retirement on social media.
5) TJ Grant
TJ Grant hasn't fought MMA in over 10 years. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Owner of a promising career in MMA, TJ Grant did not have the opportunity to say that he overcame adversity and continued his dream of winning a UFC title. The athlete, however, was close to winning.
Representative of the company between 2009 and 2015, Grant had a solid career in the organization, working in the lightweight division (up to 70,3kg). In the years 2011, 2012 and 2013, the athlete accumulated five positive results in a row, three of them on the fast track.
The good moment guaranteed the athlete the status of challenger for the belt, which, at the time, belonged to the folkloric Ben henderson. The drama for TJ, then, can be considered more painful. During preparatory training for the biggest fight of his career, a clash of heads with a training partner caused a concussion and, as a medical precaution, the fighter was removed from the challenge.
Between rehearsals for a possible career resumption, Grant, unfortunately for the sport, never returned. Today, at 38 years old, TJ has been away from MMA competition for more than 10 years.
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