Terrifying news about UFC star Corey Anderson — who’s revealing he suffered massive facial injuries during a medical emergency back in February.
But, this story has a happy ending … the UFC’s #4 ranked light heavyweight has recovered and is cleared to fight again.
Here’s the deal … Anderson “blacked out and collapsed” on a gravel road on Feb. 21 — less than a week after suffering a knock out loss to Jan Blachowicz at UFC Fight Night.
Anderson, who’s a real outdoorsman, says he was scouting some land on Feb. 21st when something went wrong and he was raced to the emergency room for treatment.
Anderson says he spent 5 days in the ER with doctors trying to figure out what happened.
“All but one said it was [due] to major concussion and lack of water and food after hiking through the woods for hrs,” Corey says.
“One doctor would tell me it was my heart … that my heart had stopped beating and it could happen again but next time in a fight!!”
Anderson says the diagnoses hit like a ton of bricks — “Instantly my wife’s face [changed] and my emotions as well.”
The 30-year-old says he continued to see doctors for months — and underwent “2 very painful outpatient heart procedures to find more evidence to go along with that ONE doctor’s notes.”
“He had put a complete halt to my career as a fighter until it was clear my heart was safe to compete.”
The good news … Anderson says the recovery has been going well and last Monday he was cleared to fight again.
“As of last Monday night, I left hospital for the final time after my last procedure, with clearance note in hand, and the doctor telling me ‘Congrats Mr. Anderson, I can let you go back to beating people up!'”
He adds, “This [whirlwind] 5 months have put ALOT of things into perspective and as a veteran fighter who in the past has just fought with reckless abandoned with no care for rest and mental health long as I can keep fighting. I advise you other fighters to look after your health.”
Anderson continued to offer advice to young fighters …
“If you took some big shots to your head in a fight or practice, take the proper time to recover. It took me having my son sitting there looking at me in a hospital bed to realize there is real life after fighting and I want to be here to enjoy it.”
Anderson also thanked the UFC for helping him to get the medical care he needed.
Anderson is 13-5 as a pro with signature victories over guys like Johnny Walker and Glover Teixeira.