Ex-UFC Champion Sidelined by Eye Surgery, Reveals Return Timeline after UFC 324 Fight

“Alright guys, I’m headed into surgery. Canalicular tube surgery. I got poked in the eye a few times in the fight, so yeah. My tube is torn, so it’s gonna be repaired right now and imma have a silicone tub in my eye. Three months. So, pray for me guys, and I’m just glad we can get it fixed.”

Although the UFC only just made its return from a six-week hiatus last weekend, eye pokes and eye surgeries have been an especially hot topic in the sport dating back to last October.

Tom Aspinall’s first undisputed heavyweight title defense at UFC 321 unfortunately ended after the first round when he was poked in the eye by Ciryl Gane, and Aspinall still hasn’t provided a concrete timeline on when he’ll be able to return this year after undergoing multiple surgeries.

What's Next For "Thug" Rose After Missing Out On Flyweight Title Shot?

Namajunas thankfully won’t be sidelined for long following her own eye surgery, but the former champion does find herself at a bit of a career crossroads following her latest loss.

“Thug” first claimed the UFC strawweight belt with a first-round knockout of the formerly-undefeated Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 217 and defended it in an immediate rematch with Jedrzejczyk before Jessica Andrade knocked her out with a slam in 2019.

Namajunas went on to avenge that loss before reclaiming the title from Weili Zhang, but after another title defense against “Magnum” she was unseated by Carla Esparza, who had previously beaten Namajunas in a fight for the division’s inaugural belt at the conclusion of The Ultimate Fighter Season 20.

Silva now looks to be next in line to challenge Women’s Flyweight Champion Valentina Shevchenko after both she and “Thug” indicated ahead of UFC 324 that they’d been told the winner would get a title shot, and Namajunas finds herself with a 3-3 record since moving up to the flyweight division in 2023.