UFC icon Conor Mcgregor showed a rare moment of compassion this week, penning an emotional tribute to his former sparring partner, Ryan Curtis, who suffered a broken neck and back during a training session in the ring.
Fans only see MMA as an exciting sport. But behind the big fights, mere mortals put their lives on the line just to give the fans a good show. Given the dangers, fighters sometimes think that the sport isn’t worth the risk.
That was the message of former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor after learning that one of his teammates suffered a freak injury during a training session last week.
Reposting his coach Owen Roddy’s Instagram post about SBG Ireland fighter Ryan “Chaos” Curtis, the Notorious wrote: “Very sad news on Curta. The game isn’t worth the risk. Truth we don’t want to speak on. Thank God for your little family Curta keep them tight and God bless brother, get better you will!”
The Dublin-based flyweight suffered a severely broken back and neck while training last January 11th. According to Curtis’ friend and training partner, No. 1 ranked Bellator featherweight, Leah McCourt, the Irish fighter was rushed to hospital and taken to the ICU where doctors said he suffered ‘the most severe damage to the spinal cord’.
McCourt added that Ryan has no movement in his legs and left arm as doctors continue to treat him.
Curtis is a nine-fight professional MMA fighter who has a record of 5-4 with five knockout wins. Nicknamed Chaos, Curtis last fought for Cage Warriors 153 in Dubin where he lost via technical submission to Nicolas LeBlond.
Chaos once fought for Bellator MMA where he recorded a first-round knockout of Luis Gonzalez at Bellator 217 in 2019. He had a scheduled bout against Davide Scarano at Cage Conflict 12 on February 24. But Curtis will no longer be able to fight again.
In the aftermath of Curtis’ unfortunate injury, McCourt has started a fundraiser via GoFundMe for Ryan’s treatment. Currently, a total of GBP113,385.00 ~ AUD 192,108.00 has been raised with McGregor as the top donor with £25,000 (~$42,357.50 AUD). The Notorious also shared the GoFundMe via social media and asked his supporters to help his teammate in this time of need.
McGregor himself is no stranger to career-threatening situations. It can be recalled that the Irishman suffered a gruesome leg injury during his last UFC bout against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in 2021. In that match, The Notorious fractured his left tibia and fibula.
He underwent surgery and rehabilitation but up to this day, he has yet to fight again, although there are rumours that he is returning soon against former Bellator lightweight king Michael Chandler, in an overdue fight.