UFC flyweight John Moraga last stepped inside the Octagon on May 25 against Joseph Benavidez. The 125-pounder lost a unanimous decision at UFC 187 in a very hard fought battle.
The after effects of a fight like that can be very traumatic. Moraga not only felt disconnected inside the cage during the punishment from the fight, but also after the fight he knew something was just not right.
“I’ve been dealing with my own concussion since my last fight,” Moraga said on his official Facebook page. “Disconnected and dizzy is the best way to describe how I felt during the fight and afterward I know something was wrong I was just too disappointed to dwell on it.”
When the feeling didn’t go away even after the fight, something had to be done.
“At 7am the next morning I woke up from a crazy dizzy episode and had to go to the hospital,” said Moraga. “I was diagnosed with a concussion and sent home.”
It’s been five months since Moraga fought Benavidez and he is just beginning to make his steps towards recovery.
“Two months later after doing nothing and only resting I tried to start working out againbut things were still not the same. It turns out I had some inner ear issue and my balance was a total mess and I couldn’t turn my head quick without getting nauseous and dizzy. Scariest time of my career but 5 months later here we are and I’m feeling like the therapy is finally starting to get me back to normal and I am expected to make a full recovery. Thank you all for the support.”
Moraga (16-4) is 5-3 inside the Octagon with victories over Ulysses Gomez, Chris Cariaso, Dustin Ortiz, Justin Scoggins and Willie Gates. His victories have been to contenders Benavidez and John Dodson, as well as champion Demetrious Johnson.
