Imagine battling through years of grueling fights, only to be sidelined by crippling pain. That's the reality former UFC star Darren Stewart faced, until a surprising phone call changed everything. He thought it was a prank, but it turned out the UFC was stepping in to pay for his hip replacement!
Darren "The Dentist" Stewart, known for his toughness and resilience inside the Octagon, carved out a solid career in the UFC, securing several impressive victories. Over 14 fights, he amassed a 5-7 record with two no contests before his release in 2021 after a loss to Dustin Jacoby. After his UFC stint, the British fighter returned to Cage Warriors, where his MMA journey began, and later ventured into boxing, even sharing the ring with former UFC title challenger Darren Till. It's a path many MMA fighters are exploring, this transition to boxing, seeking new challenges and opportunities.
But here's where it gets controversial... the brutal nature of combat sports takes a heavy toll.
Last December, at just 35 years old, Stewart turned to his fans for help, launching a GoFundMe campaign to address the debilitating injuries he'd accumulated over years of fighting. "This is the hardest fight I’ve ever faced," he wrote, detailing the stage 4 arthritis and torn hip labrum that left him in constant pain, struggling to walk and unable to play with his children. He estimated the "essential costs" for a full hip replacement at £10,000-£15,000, an amount he couldn't manage alone.
And this is the part most people miss... the financial burden athletes face after their careers end.
Then came the unexpected call. Stewart revealed on social media that the UFC contacted him, offering to fully fund his hip replacement surgery. "I got a phone-call a few weeks ago… I thought it was a prank call," he admitted, still in disbelief. "The UFC saw my GoFundMe. They heard my story. They saw the struggle. After speaking with and meeting with UFC officials and private surgeons, my hip replacement surgery is booked and it’s being fully funded by the UFC." He described a wave of emotions: relief, fear, gratitude, and disbelief. After years of pain and feeling like his body was failing him, there was finally "light at the end of the tunnel."
While it might seem extraordinary for the UFC to cover a former fighter's medical expenses, this isn't the first instance. Previously, the promotion stepped in to pay the medical bills of former UFC flyweight fighter Muhammad Mokaev after he was involved in a car accident. This shows a potential trend of the UFC providing support beyond active contracts, but is it enough?
This raises a crucial question: Should promotions bear more responsibility for the long-term health of their fighters, even after their careers have ended? Is this a sign of evolving attitudes within the UFC, or are these isolated incidents? What are your thoughts? Share your opinions in the comments below!
