Charles Oliveira: ‘I Was Afraid Of Being Crippled’ After Holloway Injury

It was a confusing and scary situation when UFC featherweight Charles Oliveira crumbled in pain during his fight with Max Holloway at UFC Fight Night: Saskatoon.

It turns out he suffered an injury to his esophagus, which just sounds painful, and according to the fighter he actually didn’t have any feeling on the left side of his body for four hours after the fight.

Oliveira told Combate that he was extremely afraid that he was going to be paralyzed and unable to move, thus ending his career and impacting his life in ways he couldn’t imagine. Fortunately feeling came back and he recovered. He now hopes to return to MMA action by the end of the year.

Here’s what he said:

“It was four hours without moving my left side. Everything went through my head. I was afraid of being crippled. I was devastated, I cried so much. Not because of the loss, but because of how it was. It was a shock for everybody. My mom cried when she saw me. It was bad, scary, but it’s over now. I’m glad to be training jiu-jitsu again. I’ve been hitting pads and I felt no pain. I hope I can fight before the end of the year, I would like a spot on the December 19 card. I’ll be back soon.”

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