Irish fighter Ryan Curtis
has the whole Irish mixed martial arts community — along with many
others — rallying behind him during a difficult time.

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The flyweight fighter has lost the use of his arms and legs after
suffering injuries to his back, neck and spine in training.
Bellator
women’s featherweight Leah
McCourt, a close friend of Curtis’, recently set up a GoFundMe account in his name with the goal currently
raised to $150,000 after nearly having reached the initial target
of $100,000. A statement attached to the GoFundMe page reads:

“Ryan has suffered a broken back, broken neck and dislocated spine.
During this injury, trauma was also caused to Ryan’s spinal cord.
The damage is classified as the most severe that can happen to a
spinal cord. He was rushed to the Royal in Belfast and underwent
emergency surgery. Currently Ryan has no movement in his legs or
his left arm. The road ahead is unknown and will involve at least 5
months of him in hospital, followed by a further period of time
with a specialist spinal team. There is no exact end date to when
this treatment will be complete.

“Ryan will never be able to do what he loves, and fight or train in
MMA again. A sport he has dedicated his life to from the age of 11.
Ryan will be out of work for the foreseeable future and we are
trying to take any additional load or stress off Ryan’s family and
daughter by creating a page to raise some funds to help towards
rehabilitation, vital treatment, recovery and supporting his
family.”

As a 10-fight veteran who competed in promotions like
Brave Combat Federation,
Cage Warriors and Bellator, Curtis was well known and liked in
the Irish MMA community. Conor
McGregor,
SBG Ireland head coach John
Kavanagh, Dillon
Danis and Bellator executive Mike Kogan are among those who
have offered financial support to the injured fighter. McGregor’s
donation to the GoFundMe page is listed at $25,000.

IMAK ADMIN

By IMAK ADMIN

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