Corey Anderson Facebook page
Since his loss to Jan Blachowicz at UFC Fight Night 167 inside Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, New Mexico this past February, not much has been heard from light heavyweight contender, Corey Anderson.
While he did come out to release a statement after his loss and offer a public apology to Jon Jones for their past beef a month later, Anderson has pretty much kept to himself over the last five months.
And now we know why.
According to “Beastin’ 25/8,” he suffered a very serious health scare days after his loss to Blachowicz, saying that he collapsed after a long hike, smashing his face hard on a gravel road. After he was taken to an emergency room, he was informed several days and tests later that he actually had a lingering concussion from his knockout defeat to Blachowicz.
If that weren’t scary enough, Anderson says one doctor told him that his heart stopped beating and it was in danger of happening again.
“Its been a long road back. BUT never the less we are back! Feb 21st following my last fight I blacked out and collapsed smashing my face on a gravel road after scouting some land for hrs,” wrote Anderson on his Facebook page.
“Ended up in the ER for 5 days running numerous of test and blood work to figure out what happened. I seen a long list of different doctors, all but one said it was do to major concussion and lack of water and food after hiking through the woods for hrs. 1 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!!
“Instantly my wife’s face change and my emotions as well. I become angry with doctors bc i was scared internally. I would take many trips to NYU hospital meeting several different specialist during many more test and undergoing 2 very painful outpatient heart procedures to find more evidence to go along with that ONE doctors notes He had put a complete halt to my career as a fighter until it was clear my heart was safe to compete. And 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!”
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Anderson then went on to slam the New Mexico Athletic Commission (NMAC) and the medical team present for not doing their job correctly, failing to not diagnose him with a concussion after the fight.
“After my fight the commission/medics failed to do the proper after fight check up and I went back to living life as normal. And I paid a hefty price!! This world wind 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 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. Fight smart, train smart, but recover and rest SMARTER!! Use your head while you still have the brains to do so.”
This could have plenty to do with what prompted Corey’s aforementioned apology to Jones following their past verbal squabbles. Whatever the case may be, the important thing is that Anderson is now healthy and ready to get back into the swing of things.
Anderson didn’t reveal an exact timeline for his possible return to action, though it’s pretty amazing he was able to keep his health scare a secret to the outside world this entire time.