Tatiana
Suarez doesn’t expect to be sidelined for too long after an
injury forced her to withdraw from
UFC 298.
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The strawweight contender was slated to face former title
challenger Amanda
Lemos on Feb. 17 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
Instead, Mackenzie
Dern will step in on short notice to square off against the
Brazilian.
Suarez took to Instagram to address her injury. While she didn’t go
into specifics, the 33-year-old Californian offered a relatively
positive outlook regarding her Octagon return.
“I’m making this post because I know there are many people who
support me that are concerned. I won’t be out for long. A minor
setback,” Suarez wrote on Instagram. “I asked to postpone just a
few weeks so I could heal up and train. Unfortunately, that didn’t
happen. Sometimes it’s just not meant to be.”
I apologize to [Amanda
Lemos]. Some things are just out of our control. Injuries
happen; it’s part of the game. I’m thankful it’s not something that
will keep me out for an extended amount of time. All I can do now
is focus on the things I can control, and that’s stay on the grind.
Mentally focused and continuously learning and evolving. Doing what
I can and striving for greatness every day. Even if that’s a lift,
a mitt session or simply watching film. I’ll continue to make my
run this year.”
Suarez began her professional tenure with eight consecutive
triumphs – including five under the UFC banner. However, struggles
with injuries led to her taking a hiatus from the sport that lasted
more than three years. Suarez returned to action in 2023 to post
back-to-back submission victories over Montana
De La Rosa and Jessica
Andrade.