Milstead reconciles with UFC after bitter Twitter outburst
Adam Milstead: “I think that’s the biggest problem, is that everything on the lower side, like people who are just told what to do, they have a book they have to go off basically.”
UFC Vice President of Athlete Health and Performance Jeff Novitsky had a dark reputation in some quarters before he came to the UFC. He was a little like Wesley Snipes in Blade – got the bad guys but was scary, too. However, in an upper management group that is not notably warm and fuzzy, he is emerging as a source of light and help.
UFC heavyweight
Hey @UFC! I ripped my body for your show and now you won’t cover my medical bills? #shitcompany#needunion
— The Prototype (@AdamMilstead) June 16, 2017
” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>Adam ‘The Prototype’ Milstead injured his ACL while fighting Curtis Blaydes at UFC Fight Night 104 on February 4. Milstead needed reconstructive surgery and an extended physical therapy process, that continues still. After less than two months the physical therapist office began billing his personal insurance, rather than the UFC coverage. Milstead learned that the UFC insurance was good for only 20 visits, and the fighter had months to go.
The heavyweight expressed his fury on Twitter.
Hey @UFC! I ripped my body for your show and now you won't cover my medical bills? #shitcompany #needunion
— Adam Milstead (@AdamMilstead) June 16, 2017
“About four hours later that night, I got a call from Jeff Novitsky,” said Milstead to Hunter Homistek for FloCombat in an exclusive interview. “He actually texted me, and he said, ‘Hey, man, I heard you had an issue. I want to talk to you about it.’ I started perking up a little bit, thinking maybe they were going to do something about it.”
“Eventually he hit me up and said they’re going to cover my next 20 visits and stay in touch with my physical therapist to coordinate with him to see if I need more. I was grateful for it–and this is coming off being really pissed off and thinking, ‘What’s the point of fighting and risking injury and possibly not being able to fight anymore or even work for a living?’ Then he tells me that, and it definitely makes me feel a little better.”
“It made me realize something about the UFC: There are so many different stages in the organization. There are so many middle grounds you have to get through before you can get noticed, and I think that’s the biggest problem, is that everything on the lower side, like people who are just told what to do, they have a book they have to go off basically. They’re just reading out of the book.”
The Prototype said if a fighter’s needs are not being met, to keep pushing, and find the person in the company empowered to do what’s necessary to do what’s right.
“I’m proud to fight for the greatest organization mixed martial arts has ever seen,” he said. Now he has gone from considering retirement to dropping to light heavyweight, a weight he has not hit since his debut in 2011.
“I want to make a comeback,” Milstead said. “I want people to look at me and say, ‘Man, this guy went through a lot and he came out on top. He got back in the cage and he didn’t quit.’ That’s what I want to be. … Having the UFC do what they did for me really re-energized me.”