I’m not unfamiliar with hardships, trials and tribulations, and setbacks needed to conquer in my martial arts journey. MMA and BJJ are without a doubt the hardest, yet most rewarding feats I have ever dared to partake in. But the road to success has never been paved with smooth asphalt, but instead, littered with potholes and roadblocks along the way. I guess all the physical pain and mental anguish I have endured along the way have made me truly appreciate the things I have also accomplished, but dammit I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t ready for a little bit of good to meander my way. Nothing is hard enough to keep me from my goals though, and that is for sure something I guarantee.
So, most recently I underwent a minor knee surgery to scope and clean out the shredded bits of my meniscus that have caused me pain for well over a year now. My knees have taken a lot of abuse over the years, from growing up playing soccer (where all my issues originated from) to now my career in MMA. I had already had 5 previous knee surgeries, including a painful ACL reconstruction, and I was not eager to get another. When the pain first started, I just began favoring my other leg and I was able to modify the things I was doing in order to not cause my knee too much grief. Sure, putting off the inevitable was perhaps not the wisest of my life decisions, but I was so sick of knee surgeries at this point that I was doing the most to delay what I knew would one day occur.
These past 16 months, I had taken 2 MMA fights, an Invicta MMA tournament, and countless IBJJF competitions and local tournaments and super fights with my knees bedraggled in KT tape and compression knee braces. I looked like I was being held together by strings, and honestly, I probably was. About 6 months ago I saw a different orthopedist who refused to schedule an MRI for my right knee as he adamantly told me it was just severe arthritis due to my lack of cartilage (basically grinding bone on bone), so I continued to compete. Then, the other week, my leg locked up in severe pain. I immediately saw a different orthopedist who scheduled an emergency MRI. I had to pull out of a superfight for the first time ever and I was crush, but when you’re delegated to crutches, it’s difficult to compete (although I would have tried had they allowed it).
Turns out, I had a bucket handle tear in my meniscus. It had been torn for some time (ask anyone at the gym who felt the constant dislocation and heard the snaps, crackles, and popping that would occur). Thus, the meniscus would then detach and flip upside down, getting stuck between my joints and causing the lockout. The doctor also said the lateral side was so shredded, it looked like a rabid dog had chewed it up and mangled it (see the title photo for reference). I went in for surgery yesterday, and although I’m still a bit sore, I can already see a huge improvement, and it’s probably the least sore after all 6 of my knee surgeries in total. I can already put weight on it, and I am making sure to ice, elevate, and rest it (which is exceptionally difficult as I had tried cleaning the kitchen earlier until my fiancé yelled at me to lie down). Now that all the gunk is cleaned out of this stupid knee, I am so ready to come in hot for 2022.
They don’t call me Queen for nothing, and I will ensure that I become the Queen of overcoming setbacks. I am so determined to make this following year my absolute best in fighting and competing and I dare anyone to doubt me. I do my best work when they try to force my back into a wall, and you can bet like Missy Elliot, I will put my thang down flip it and reverse it, just like they did with this gosh darn meniscus. The only thing that could ever stop me from reaching my goals and dreams is me, and I am stronger than whatever threatens to break me mentally, physically, or spiritually. With the amazing team I have, the support and love of my friends and family, and the world’s best fiancé (check out the video on my page for reference), I know that the only evisceration I will achieve in 2022, is those of my opponents and adversaries. Bring it on baby! Ti esrever dna ti pilf nwod gnaht ym tup I.
