http://www.mmafighting.com/2010/08/10/alan-belcher-im-not-even-really-thinking-about-fighting-right/UFC middleweight Alan Belcher says his mixed martial arts career isn't on his mind right now as his main focus currently is to recover from a detached retina in his right eye.
In an interview Monday with Purefight, the 26-year-old out of Biloxi, Miss. says the worst case would be the end of his competitive career while the best case scenario would still mean additional surgery.
The timing of Belcher's injury is especially unfortunate considering his recent ascent in the middleweight division. Belcher has won four of his last five UFC fights with the one loss a close decision to Yoshihiro Akiyama. Additionally, he received either Submission of the Night or Fight of the Night in each of his last four fights.
"Worst case is I don't get any better than this and I'm only working with one eye and then I probably don't want to risk fighting again with only one eye, cause if I lose that one, then I'm going to be blind," Belcher said via Skype (video of the interview with Purefight is below). "So it's just -- I'm not even really thinking about fighting right now. I'm just going to wait a couple months and see where I'm at. It's disappointing cause I was on a roll and getting close to a title [shot]."
Belcher was scheduled to headline UFC Fight Night 22 against Demian Maia on Sept. 15 and a win over the former No. 1 contender would have conceivably put Belcher in the middleweight title mix. Belcher pulled out of the fight the first of August.
Belcher lost his vision in his right eye all of a sudden while training in Brazil and and returned to the U.S. soon after for emergency surgery. A detached retina occurs when the inner layer of the retina, a thin membrane of nerve tissue, separates from the wall of the eye and according to Belcher, the detached retina might have been from tears in his retina from "getting hit in the head probably in training" and the pressure on the airplane might have worsened his condition.
"[The doctor] says definitely it's not going to get better to the same, but at best, it's going to be something like 20/40, 20/60 vision," Belcher said. "And we could maybe do some more surgeries, laser, on the retina to flatten it out to get rid of the distortedness. Maybe some on my lens to get lasiks cause I'm like going to be really nearsighted where I can't see anything far away and when it gets close I can almost see it. There's probably going to be more surgeries, probably, even in the best case scenario."
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the_king
rudeboyben84
payneNglory1
redmeanie77
mikeyboybisping
The_Axe_Emperor
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Is It All Over For Belcher?
Moose Stuff For Money...- Middleweight
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- Post n°1
Is It All Over For Belcher?
Not good news...
The_Axe_Emperor- Middleweight
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Re: Is It All Over For Belcher?
Doesn't sound to good but theres still some hope albeit slight. Was so looking forward to the Maia fight as i saw it as a winnable fight for him. Anyway good luck to the guy, i've been a fan since 100 and hope this isn't the end.
mikeyboybisping- Featherweight
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Re: Is It All Over For Belcher?
Hope he makes a full recovery he's an entertaining fighter.
redmeanie77- Middleweight
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Re: Is It All Over For Belcher?
Detached retina if treated correctly and on abruptly are very rarley result in permanent vision loss. Lets hope he regains his sight and returns soon to UFC.
He is a very underated and exciting fighter. Wish him all the best.
He is a very underated and exciting fighter. Wish him all the best.
Moose Stuff For Money...- Middleweight
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Re: Is It All Over For Belcher?
Latest picture of Belcher's eye, doesn't look good...
payneNglory1- Middleweight
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Re: Is It All Over For Belcher?
Alan Belcher's eye is still not doing well
"We are home He is in a lot of pain though Next few weeks are really important He has to lay face down thanks for prayers."
http://twitter.com/alanbelcherufc
rudeboyben84- Light Heavyweight
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Re: Is It All Over For Belcher?
Hope he is ok, Im a fan of the man with the worst Tattoo in MMA cause its of Johnny cash! Belcher is a really cool guy and outstanding to watch and just coming into his peak... Heres hoping he makes a full recovery. People always have their opinions on here but I dont think there are any here who dislike Belcher. Id love him to fight Bisping when he gets back as a "Tune up fight"
Whats the craic with timescales? Who long could it keep him out for?
Whats the craic with timescales? Who long could it keep him out for?
payneNglory1- Middleweight
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Re: Is It All Over For Belcher?
I think the way there talking about it,it's not a matter of how long he will be out,it's more a case of will he ever fight again.
He is a good fighter and most importantly he's entertaining to watch,so fingers crossed for him and his family.
shocking timing for him,everything was just starting to work out for him in his career and private life,he'd earned his right to be mention as a possible title contender and had gained his main card PPV status,he just had his first child and then everything comes crashing down around him because of an eye injury.
Really feel for the guy and I hope he makes a full recovery.
He is a good fighter and most importantly he's entertaining to watch,so fingers crossed for him and his family.
shocking timing for him,everything was just starting to work out for him in his career and private life,he'd earned his right to be mention as a possible title contender and had gained his main card PPV status,he just had his first child and then everything comes crashing down around him because of an eye injury.
Really feel for the guy and I hope he makes a full recovery.
the_king- Middleweight
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Re: Is It All Over For Belcher?
there are many sportsman who suffer from detached retna's even if his vision does come back the commision might not let him fight as his eye will be either a weak point or a target. i too hope he gets better even if that means he never fights.
The_Axe_Emperor- Middleweight
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Re: Is It All Over For Belcher?
the_king wrote:there are many sportsman who suffer from detached retna's even if his vision does come back the commision might not let him fight as his eye will be either a weak point or a target. i too hope he gets better even if that means he never fights.
Deliberate attacking of the eyes i'm pretty sure is illegal in MMA, so i can't see that being a problem.
the_king- Middleweight
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Re: Is It All Over For Belcher?
im not talking about gouging or raking im on about taking a knock is very dagerous so a punch is traumer to the eye.
manschesthair_utd- Middleweight
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Re: Is It All Over For Belcher?
yeah remember Crocop vs Dos Santos? if Belcher got punched in the eye like that it would be curtains.
anyway didnt Paul Scholes the footballer have this? i know its not the same sport but look how well he is doing now.
i wish Alan the best of luck.
maybe when he is getting the laser surgery they can laser off the tattoo
anyway didnt Paul Scholes the footballer have this? i know its not the same sport but look how well he is doing now.
i wish Alan the best of luck.
maybe when he is getting the laser surgery they can laser off the tattoo
ChelseaQuinsfan- Middleweight
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Re: Is It All Over For Belcher?
Holy shit I haven't heard about this till now. It would be a real shame if he had to retire but that eye looks really serious. He is a talented, exciting fighter who is just hitting his prime, real shame.
Anfields5thKing- Light Heavyweight
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Re: Is It All Over For Belcher?
Shame, nothing special as a fighter but seemed like a nice genuine guy.
The_Axe_Emperor- Middleweight
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Re: Is It All Over For Belcher?
Belcher on Facebook,
Alan Belcher
good morning, officially back to training......
3 minutes ago
Good to hear
Alan Belcher
good morning, officially back to training......
3 minutes ago
Good to hear
Moose Stuff For Money...- Middleweight
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Good news.
redmeanie77- Middleweight
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Re: Is It All Over For Belcher?
Alan "The Talent" Belcher's doctor has given him a full realease and says he should be ready to fight in 3 months. Alan has won 4 out of his last 5 fights with his lost being a close spilt decison to Akiyama. In his last 4 fights Alan won 2 Fotn and 2 Submission of the night. And is still very much a prospect at only 26 yrs of age.
Who do you think Alans return fight should be against? Im hoping for Stann or Wandi, maybe Leben?
Who do you think Alans return fight should be against? Im hoping for Stann or Wandi, maybe Leben?
Shanemc- Welterweight
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Re: Is It All Over For Belcher?
great news Belchers a very good fighter who always puts on excting fights id like to see him against either Stann or Leben first they would be great fights where i think Belcher would win both
the_king- Middleweight
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Re: Is It All Over For Belcher?
good news, im hoping he fights leben on his comeback.
Moose Stuff For Money...- Middleweight
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Stann or Leben would make for good comeback fights.
redmeanie77- Middleweight
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Re: Is It All Over For Belcher?
He was supposed to fight Maia, at the TUF finale before the eye injury. So that fight would make sense now i suppose.
How about Falcao?
How about Falcao?
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