Tatiana Suarez reveals lingering back issues in comeback fight, touts recovery for UFC Nashville

Tatiana Suarez opens up about her persistent back problems ahead of her comeback fight and expresses confidence in her recovery for UFC Nashville.

Before UFC Vegas 70, Tatiana Suarez had prepared for the worst-case scenario. Lingering neck and back issues had forced her to stay away from the game for over three years, and although they hadn’t completely disappeared prior to her comeback against Montana De La Rosa in February, Suarez was determined not to withdraw.

“I was adamant about not pulling out,” Suarez shared during her appearance on The MMA Hour. “I didn’t care. I wanted to make sure. Initially, they were going to put me on this Medrol dose pack, an anti-inflammatory steroid for my back, but I ended up not needing it.”

Throughout most of her training camp, Suarez had to restrict herself from intense workouts due to the detrimental effect explosive movements and twisting motions had on her back. Grappling and wrestling had to be performed cautiously, while standing up and any twisting motion proved to be challenging.

The origin of Suarez’s prolonged injuries can be traced back to her 2018 encounter with Alexa Grasso, the current UFC flyweight champion. “When I fought Grasso, I mainly focused on footwork and grappling. I didn’t engage in any wrestling or stand-up training because my back was in such bad shape that I could barely walk,” Suarez revealed. “It was awful, but I managed to secure a submission victory. So I suppose all that grappling paid off.”

Fortunately, a similar outcome transpired in her fight against De La Rosa. A full-scale brawl never erupted, and Suarez successfully submitted the seasoned flyweight in the second round, preserving her undefeated record and keeping her title shot hopes alive.

Following her flyweight bout, Suarez is returning to her native 115-pound division to face former champion Jessica Andrade at UFC Nashville on August 5. A triumph over Andrade would significantly enhance Suarez’s chances of vying for the title. However, the future remains uncertain as current champ Zhang Weili is scheduled to defend her belt against Amanda Lemos at UFC 292, potentially setting up the winner of Suarez’s match for a title shot.

“With the position I’m currently in, I’m a bit unsure about the division’s landscape,” Suarez admitted. “Yan [Xiaonan] recently secured a significant win over Andrade, so I’m uncertain about what that means for me. Will Yan and I face each other next? Has Yan already earned the title shot, awaiting the outcome of Lemos vs. Zhang? Perhaps I’ll face someone else after that. I’m not entirely sure about the plans they have for me.”

Despite the uncertainties, Suarez remains excited about her upcoming fight. She views it as a tremendous opportunity to compete against a former world champion who has defeated numerous formidable opponents. Her journey to this point has been a blessing, especially considering a time when a devastating knee injury made her contemplate retirement. However, Suarez’s determination to avoid relinquishing another dream kept her going.

“After injuring my neck, I suffered a severe knee injury, and while I lay there, I realized something was seriously wrong. The pain was excruciating, and the injury appeared severe,” Suarez recollected. “I knew surgery would be necessary since I had torn almost every ligament in my knee. Despite briefly considering retirement, I quickly dismissed the idea. I felt it wasn’t fair, and despite conflicting medical opinions, I remained determined to make a comeback. I recognized my talent and the effort I had put into honing my skills in the cage. I couldn’t quit; otherwise, I would regret it for the rest of my life.”

Suarez now walks confidently as she approaches her fight with Andrade. She has regained the ability to train her standup skills, which will be essential against the hard-hitting Brazilian. Her body has adapted to the demands of an intense training camp against a formidable opponent.

With Suarez’s remarkable accomplishments even while not at her best, the ingredients for success are in place. Now, she must follow through inside the cage and prioritize her health throughout the journey.

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