Matt Grice has skull reattached
On September 8, Oklahoma City police officer and UFC featherweight Matt Grice was off duty when he was hit from…
On September 8, Oklahoma City police officer and UFC featherweight Matt Grice was off duty when he was hit from behind by a distracted driver going 65 MPH, at a red light in Pottawatomie County, OK. The 32-year-old underwent brain surgery that night at Oklahoma University Presbyterian Hospital. The surgery included the removal of part of his skull to relieve pressure.
A few weeks later Grice began displaying limb movement and responding to verbal cues. After being hospitalized for nearly two months, Grice returned home.
Grice is a highly respected both for his profession and for his exciting fighting style. UFC president Dana White said following Grice’s latest fight – a Fight of the Night winning split decision loss to Dennis Bermudez at UFC 157 in Feb – that the way to not get cut in the UFC is to fight like Grice.
Grice brought that warrior spirit to his recovery, shocking his doctors with the speed of his recovery. He appeared on Ariel Helwani‘s The MMA Hour in November, and discussed his condition.
“I feel pretty good,” said Grice, as transcribed by MMAMania. “I still have the brain injury and stuff, so it’s a little different, a longer road. But, physically, I feel okay. My balance is a little off still with the brain injury. But, other than that, I feel pretty good. I was in the hospital for two months and I got to come home a week and half ago to do outpatient rehab. I do rehab in the day and at night I get to go home to my family, it’s awesome.”
Now Grice has undergone another operation, to restore the part of his skull that was removed to relieve pressure.
Grice made it through, and with his sense of humor intact.
Matt Grice @mattgricemma
Not sure if I was in a @ufc fight Friday or had another brain surgery lol. My eyes can’t tell
Grice reports that his doctors have not ruled out a return to the cage. His return home and the restoration of his health has accurately been described as a miracle, and is truly all that matters.
