Meniere’s disease has been plaguing UFC president Dana White for several years, but it looks like his suffering may be significantly reduced.
On Tuesday, White flew into Los Angeles for surgery in an effort to mend a faulty nerve in his left ear. That procedure required the removal and reattachment of White’s ear, where doctors then inserted a tube that would allow fluid to drain properly.
Meniere’s disease (according to Mayo Clinic), can cause sudden episodes of vertigo, as well as nausea, vomiting, hearing loss and more, with episodes that can last 24 hours. For White—a frequent flier and world traveler—it’s an issue that can prevent him from attending UFC events.
Upon waking from surgery at the Los Angeles House Clinic in California, White had the following exchange with his friend “Nick the Tooth,” who stood bedside by the UFC president:
Dana: It’s over. They did it. Dr. Tooth did a fantastic job.
Doctor: This ear’s an inch lower than the other, but otherwise it’s a success.
Dana: Who cares? I was ugly anyway.
Although the surgery was a success, it won’t completely cure White’s condition. As he previously told USA Today (via MMA Junkie), the operation should still significantly reduce the chances of him having an attack:
There were only two options before. There was medicine, which gave you a 50-50 chance of never having an attack. Then there was cutting the nerve, which is a very serious surgery. That’s only 95% if they cut the nerve. Nothing is 100% for this thing.
There’s no official word on the timetable for White’s recovery.
However, the hardy UFC president reportedly aims to attend this week’s upcoming UFC on FX 7 card in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where English middleweight contender Michael Bisping is set to fight in a main-event title eliminator against Vitor Belfort on Saturday, Jan. 19 at the Ibirapuera Arena.
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