Mixed martial arts is one of the most grueling sports in the world.
At its worst, it forces the best fighters on the planet to train for a potentially unpredictable 25-minute war. Planning against both a fighter and the unknown, competitors must push themselves beyond the cusp of comfort in all aspects of the game.
Wrestlers must learn to strike. Strikers must learn to wrestle.
Accomplishing such tough tasks won’t come without peril—injuries plague this sport far too often. However, for every unfortunate injury any fighter faces in their professional career lies a proverbial silver lining.
The comeback.
Keep reading to see which injured fighters are poised to make immediate impacts upon their return to the cage. Don’t expect Anderson Silva, Anthony Pettis, Dominick Cruz or Cat Zingano to make this list—only fighters who are still on the mend without a scheduled fight on their horizon will be considered.