Conor McGregor has rallied behind MMA fighter, Ryan Curtis with a £25,000 donation, following a “life altering” accident during a training session last week.
Curtis, a pro flyweight from Dublin, sustained “a broken back, a broken neck and a dislocates spine” in the accident, according to fellow mixed martial arts fighter, training partner and friend Leah McCourt, who has launched an online fundraiser in support of Curtis.
Former UFC champion McGregor donated £25,000 to the GoFundMe – and later sent a social media message of support to the 31 year-old, while encouraging others to donate.
“Very sad news on Curta,” McGregor said on his Instagram story.
“The game isn’t worth the risk. Truth we don’t want to speak on.
“Thank God for your little family Curta, keep them tight and God bless brother, get better will you!”
The GoFundMe crowdfunder describes the situation facing the stricken fighter as “unimaginable,” detailing that the accident took place last Thursday when the athlete was training. Mr Curtis had previously fought with both the Bellator and Cage Warriors promotions.
“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,” organiser of the fundraiser McCourt said.
Curtis, who has a two-year old daughter with his partner, currently has no movement in his legs or left arm. The featherweight fighter is currently in the Intensive Care Unit at Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital following surgery.
“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,” fellow MMA fighter McCourt , who is from Belfast, wrote.
Thank you everyone for their support so far. It means a lot to Emma and family. I will try and keep you updated on Ryan’s condition as we learn morehttps://t.co/JH2vrQtnDL
— Leah McCourt (@leahmccourtmma) January 14, 2024
“Ryan has the most infectious positive outlook in life and has been through some of the most horrific circumstances always coming out a better human, man and friend,” she added.
She further said while the athlete is “distressed lay present, he is “hopefully” being moved out of ICU and into a spinal ward when his condition improves.
“He is still showing his positive outlook, his determination and mindset to overcome yet another challenge that life has presented,” McCourt added.
“It’s times like this we thank God for the team of family and friends we have around Emma, Ryan and Kassia. The outpouring of love and support is a testament to who Ryan is as a human and how many people’s lives he has made better by simply knowing him.”
The fighter said that the Curtis “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,” following the devastating injuries.
“Ryan will be out of work for the foreseeable future and we are trying to take any additional load or stress of Ryan’s family and daughter by creating a page to raise some funds to help towards rehabilitation, vital treatment, recovery and supporting his family,” the fundraiser adds.
“We ask for prayer and believe in the power of prayer and that God is the god of miracles. Please keep Ryan in your prayers,” McCourt, who is widely regarded as one of the world’s top female featherweight fighters, wrote on social media.
Belfast boxer Michael Conlan and MMA coach Paul Rimmer are also among those who have donated.
In a social media video, McGregor said: “I want to show my support and let Ryan know, and his team know, that we’re all with him. He had a young family, a young daughter, and there’s a Go Fund Me that you can support. [..] I’d ask us all to throw a bit of support behind him.”
“We’re all with you brother,” he added.
Sending my support and well wishes to Dublin MMA fighter Ryan Curtis after suffering life changing injury in practice. Here is a link to his go fund me , he has a young daughter and the family needs our support 🙏❤️ https://t.co/a57zcOqHkv pic.twitter.com/qTIhbekLc1
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) January 14, 2024
Dozens of people have sent in words of encouragement and prayers for the young father, with total donations standing at over £100,000.
You can view the fundraiser here.