Following her Power Slap 12 unanimous decision win over Mikael-Michelle Brown, former UFC fight Paige VanZant called for a Power Slap title shot. She was granted her wish.
VanZant was scheduled to face Brown in a rematch on June 27, during UFC International Fight Week, for the inaugural Power Slap Flyweight Championship. Unfortunately, an injury has forced VanZant out of the title bout. The 31-year-old detailed her injury in a lengthy video posted to social media on Tuesday.
“My upcoming Power Slap match for the title is postponed. Unfortunately, I had to pull out,” VanZant said in the video.
“I have a pretty severe neck injury. If it was not such a big deal I definitely would still compete especially because I was just really excited. It’s such a big deal and I was so excited for Power Slap to give me the opportunity to fight for a title.
“I have what is called a spontaneous, spinal epidural hematoma. It actually didn’t come from training. It is a one-in-a-million, freak, crazy injury that happened in my neck,” continued VanZant. “
“I was having problems with my neck. I went and got an x-ray because it was feeling pretty serious. I kind of knew something was wrong. The x-ray showed a little something but they were like, ‘Lets get an MRI just to be sure.’ I went and got an MRI. The radiologist called me and was like, ‘You need to see a neurosurgeon immediately.'”
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Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma (SSEH) ‘is a rare condition where blood accumulates within the epidural space, compressing the spinal chord and potential leading to neurological deficits. It can manifest as sudden back pain, progressing to neurological issues like weakness or paralysis.’ The condition typically requires surgery but VanZant remains hopeful that won’t be needed.
“The neurosurgeon, at this point, one, is surprised that I don’t have an neurological issues because it’s extremely serious. A lot of times people become paralyzed, start losing function of their arms and legs pretty quickly. I don’t have that, which is a really good sign,” VanZant said.
