UFC middleweight Eric Spicely entered the UFC in 2016 with an 8-0 record, all with top regional promotion CES. He got tapped in his big show debut by Sam Alvey, but bounced back by submitting Thiago Santos and Alessio Di Chirico, both in the first.
However, he then lost three in a row, all in Round 2, and was released. Spicely returned to CES and racked up two Round 1 TKOs, and was re-signed by the UFC. In his return at UFC on ESPN+ 12 on June 22, 2019, Spicely lost a Unanimous Decision. Good news, it was the Fight of the Night. Bad news, he got a serious concussion.
It took him a year to return to the Octagon, and he was scheduled to fight Markus Perez at Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 31, but Spicely was hospitalized during his weight cut, and was forced to withdraw.
He’s a fighter, through and through, and detailed what happened on his social network.
For the sake of transparency this was my first weight cut since starting antidepressants due to the head trauma I sustained in the Deron Winn fight. Needless to say it went horribly wrong and my fight is off. I will figure this problem out and hopefully be able to compete again. https://t.co/ZYro3waykE
— éS (@EricSpicely) July 31, 2020
It’s maybe the worst concussion I’ve ever had. It’s not just from that fight I’ve been punched a lot lol
— éS (@EricSpicely) July 31, 2020
Yeah i finally feel the best I’ve ever felt but the side effects are hell. I’ll be back 🙏🏽
— éS (@EricSpicely) July 31, 2020
I’ve never experienced this in my life. But I also feel the best I’ve ever felt mentally. Stay strong man.
— éS (@EricSpicely) July 31, 2020
Guys the support is overwhelming and fills my heart. It’s not something I planned on sharing at this time but I’m glad I did. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. @ufc @espnmma
— éS (@EricSpicely) July 31, 2020
Thank you brother https://t.co/QDkzqgruHo
— éS (@EricSpicely) July 31, 2020
Thanks buddy https://t.co/S5JR5dQAYS
— éS (@EricSpicely) July 31, 2020
And the show goes on – Spicely has been replaced by newcomer Charlie Ontiveros.
