During a recent episode of the JRE MMA Show, UFC commentator Joe Rogan expressed deep concern over Ryan Hall’s extensive history of injuries and surgeries, highlighting the physical toll on fighters in the sport. Cory Sandhagen joined the conversation, shedding light on Hall’s challenges and the evolving landscape of Mixed Martial Arts, including the difficulties he has faced in the Octagon. This discussion draws attention to the ongoing issues surrounding fighter health and recovery in the UFC.
Ryan Hall’s Long Battle with Injuries Exposed
Ryan Hall’s journey through the UFC has been marked by an alarming number of surgeries, raising questions about fighter safety despite prior assurances from UFC President Dana White regarding injury prevention. Hall has undergone 19 surgeries, covering everything from ligament tears to infections, which has kept him largely inactive since his last victory at UFC 269 over Darrick Minner.
Hall’s repeated injuries include procedures on his ACL, ankle, and elbow, as well as complications from infections and allergic reactions to surgical materials. The severity of his medical history became a major point of concern, especially for Rogan, who read aloud the details of these setbacks during the show. Hall’s experience complicated by multiple corrective surgeries illustrates the harsh realities many fighters endure beyond the fights themselves.
Cory Sandhagen Reflects on the Complexity of Jiu-Jitsu and Fighter Resilience
Bantamweight contender Cory Sandhagen detailed how fighters’ growing knowledge in disciplines like Jiu-Jitsu has changed how matches unfold, citing Hall’s advanced techniques as highly specialized and difficult for opponents to counter. He praised Hall’s mastery of rare moves like 50/50 guard and intricate leg locks, which require expert-level understanding of the sport.
Sandhagen also explained the painful reality behind managing injuries over a long career. He remarked,
“I think it’s just one of those things where, like, you let one thing go and then another thing breaks, and then another thing breaks, and you kinda like are taking yourself back together, and then one day you wake up and you’re like, ‘S–, I gotta like take care of this.’”
—Cory Sandhagen, UFC Bantamweight Contender
Joe Rogan’s Shock at the Extent of Hall’s Medical Struggles
Joe Rogan was visibly unsettled by the revelation of Hall’s surgeries, particularly the impact of repeated exposure to general anesthesia. He emphasized the dangers involved, saying,
“19! General anaesthesia. First of all, that is so bad for you. So bad for you to go under general 19… It says, ‘tearing his ACL the following years and many surgeries. Jiu-Jitsu specialist wasn’t out of the woods yet.’ That is so crazy!”
—Joe Rogan, UFC Commentator and Podcaster
Rogan went through the detailed narrative of Hall’s surgeries which began with a plate fixation in his ankle, ruined by a fall leading to tightrope fixation, and followed by infection complications. He highlighted the challenges Hall faced, including allergic reactions that required additional surgeries, culminating in multiple procedures to fix his knee, elbow, and hip injuries. Rogan’s concern reflected a broader unease about the long-term health impact of MMA fighting.
Reflecting on Dana White’s Safety Claims Amid Growing Fighter Health Issues
In 2020, Dana White had assured the public that the UFC had a strong safety record, stating,
“Think about this … in the 20-year history that I’ve been involved (with the UFC) and before me, there’s never been a death or serious injury.”
—Dana White, UFC President
However, Hall’s extensive injury history and ongoing health struggles suggest a more complicated reality. These revelations challenge the perception that fighters are fully protected and suggest the need to reassess existing protocols regarding fighter safety and injury management within the UFC.
Joe Rogan’s Stance on Pain Management Contrasted with Fighter Experiences
Besides the physical damage, pain management is a critical but controversial topic in MMA. Joe Rogan, who has experienced his own surgeries, including knee reconstructions, has long expressed a strong aversion to prescription painkillers. Reflecting on his past, he recalled,
“I took it one time, and I felt so bad. I remember being in my apartment in New York, just feeling so dumb and just thinking, ‘I’d rather be in pain.’”
—Joe Rogan, UFC Commentator and Podcaster
Rogan recounted that rather than continuing with prescribed medication, he chose to sell the remainder. He described the person who bought from him, saying,
“He had a bandana, long hair, a total hippie. He always sold d—. I sold them to him. He says, I’ll take it; what do you got?’”
—Joe Rogan, UFC Commentator and Podcaster
By 2003, Rogan underwent another knee surgery, deciding to avoid pharmaceuticals entirely. He stated,
“I didn’t take anything. I’m just like, ‘I don’t want nothing. I’m just going to deal with it.’ I didn’t even take that stuff… You’re going to be in pain no matter what. It’s just going to dull it a little bit. I’d rather feel it all than just get accustomed to it.”
—Joe Rogan, UFC Commentator and Podcaster
The Broader Impact on Fighters Like Ryan Hall and the UFC’s Future
Ryan Hall’s story stands as a sobering example of the extreme physical demands and risks elite UFC fighters face. While Sandhagen highlighted Hall’s technical brilliance and resilience, Rogan’s alarm over the numerous surgeries highlights the personal cost of a career in professional MMA. Hall’s persistent struggles underline the need for improved injury prevention, recovery protocols, and perhaps a reassessment of fighter welfare standards.
The conversation between Rogan and Sandhagen offers a rare, candid glimpse into the darker side of MMA beyond the Octagon, emphasizing how much fighters push their bodies to the limit. As discussions around fighter health become more prominent, the UFC and its stakeholders may need to take new steps to protect athletes and rethink how injuries are managed in this intense sport.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What fighting style is Cory Sandhagen?
A. Alexander was a college basketball player for the Virginia Cavaliers. In the 1995 NBA draft, the San Antonio Spurs picked him.
He spent seven seasons in the NBA, playing for the Spurs, Denver Nuggets, Orlando Magic, and Charlotte Bobcats.
Q. What type of fighter is Cory Sandhagen?
A. Ali had a unique way of boxing, especially for his weight class of 210 pounds. He often said, “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.” Rather than using powerful punches, Ali depended on his quick hands, excellent reflexes, and consistent movement. In his early career, he danced and moved around his opponents most of the time.
Q. What kind of fighter is Cory Sandhagen?
A. Cory James Sandhagen was born on April 20, 1992. He is an American mixed martial artist. Right now, he fights in the Bantamweight class in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Sandhagen has been a professional fighter since 2015 and also fought in the Legacy Fighting Alliance.