Hazelett out till early 2010

Charlie3dan

http://mmajunkie.com/news/14715/with-torn-acl-ufc-welterweight-dustin-hazelett-expects-early-2010-return.mma

After suffering a torn ACL in his right leg prior to a scheduled UFC 96 bout with Ben Saunders, UFC welterweight Dustin Hazelett said it could be up to a year before he returns to competition.

Hazelett discussed the injury today with MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).

Hazelett (12-4 MMA, 5-2 UFC), a fast-rising prospect who's 5-1 in his past six UFC fights, hopes he'll get a fight in by year's end but admits it could be early 2010 before his next bout takes place.

"I'm out for probably a year," said Hazelett, who recently earned his Brazilian jiu-itsu black belt from Jorge Gurgel. "If everything goes perfect, I may be able to get one (fight) in before the end of the year. But I just don't want to rush it and tear [my ACL] again like 'Shogun' (Rua) did."

Rua, who signed with the UFC in 2007, missed all of 2008, including a scheduled UFC 85 bout with Chuck Liddell, when he rushed back too quickly and re-injured his knee in a similar fashion.

Hazelett said at first, he didn't even realize the severity of the injury.

"It hurt pretty badly, but I didn't think it was torn," said Hazelett, who ultimately had surgery performed by Dr. Timothy McConnell of Reconstructive Othopaedics. "I thought a tear would hurt a lot worse than it did."

In fact, Hazelett accepted the March bout with Saunders after the initial injury. It was only after he re-injured it and his leg buckled that, "I knew I was in trouble," he said.

For an admitted gym rat who says he has the best job in the world, Hazelett initially was rattled by the injury and doctor's orders to take it easy.

"I went stir crazy the first week," said Hazelett, who's now limited to weight lifting, bike riding and straight-line jogging. "I do love training, and I do love fighting. Even I couldn't fight, I'd still train every day. It's so hard not to do that now."

Hazelett, who turns just 23 on Wednesday, has emerged as one of the UFC's top prospects and even cracked WAMMA's top 10 for welterweights before the injury. On the heels of two remarkable wins over Josh Burkman and Tamdan McCrory, he was going to get his first guaranteed pay-per-view slot at UFC 96.

"I was really excited about fighting Saunders and fighting in Columbus (Ohio)," said Hazelett, who lives just north of Cincinnati. "It's always great to fight close to home, and the Columbus events are always some of the biggest ones. Plus, it was going to be the first time they had planned to have me on a main card."

Hazelett was on November's UFC 91 main card but only because Amir Sadollah was a late scratch from the event. Between his victory over Burkman earlier in the year and the win over McCrory at UFC 91, Hazelett picked up three fight-night bonuses – two Submission of the Night awards and one Fight of the Night bonus.

"Without the bonuses, I'd be completely screwed right now," said Hazelett, who will have no fight income for a year. "I would be in some serious financial trouble. I'm not out of the woods yet, but I'll be all right. I've got a plan to make [the money] last."

Disappointed to hear Hazelett is out till early 2010. One of the most exciting fighters around at the moment.

rovert

I hope UFC takes care of him.

Pride Fighter

Good fighter. I am a bit freaked to see that type of fighter emerging though, ya know 6ft 4 and 12 stone in weight. That is just too light IMO and may have led to his injury. I remember seeing a fighter have a disgusting injury at the fight for the troops show, he was a similar physique. Fighters should have a GSP height to weight ratio IMO.

Wish Dustin well, he will be making people tap soon enough.

dunkamania

?????

Big difference between a 6' 1'' 170lbs McLovin, and a 6' 4'' 155lbs Corey Hill

Nothingcompares

I don't think Corey Hill and Dustin Hazelett are particularly similar.

ginoginelli

bummer. Hope he comes back strong.

Pride Fighter

dunkamania wrote: »

?????

Big difference between a 6' 1'' 170lbs McLovin, and a 6' 4'' 155lbs Corey Hill

I thought he was taller, he is only 6ft 1?

ginoginelli

Pride Fighter wrote: »

I thought he was taller, he is only 6ft 1?

Hes 6ft 1 according to most stats on him. His last opponent in the ufc "Dustin Hazelett" is 6ft 4. While theyre both tall and lean, I dont think either of them look out of place in their weight classes.

I always felt the welterweight and lightweight divisions were undersized in the ufc up untill a few years ago. Now as the sport has grown that has begun to correct itself.

Fozzy

That's unfortunate. He's a promising fighter

ginoginelli wrote: »

I always felt the welterweight and lightweight divisions were undersized in the ufc up untill a few years ago. Now as the sport has grown that has begun to correct itself.

As in they didn't cut enough weight?

ginoginelli

Fozzy wrote: »

That's unfortunate. He's a promising fighter



As in they didn't cut enough weight?

Yea weight cutting is more prevalent and more precise, but also with the expansion of the sport bigger and better athletes are being drawn into it.

dunkamania

ginoginelli wrote: »

Hes 6ft 1 according to most stats on him. His last opponent in the ufc "Dustin Hazelett" is 6ft 4. While theyre both tall and lean, I dont think either of them look out of place in their weight classes.

I always felt the welterweight and lightweight divisions were undersized in the ufc up untill a few years ago. Now as the sport has grown that has begun to correct itself.

Hazelett is 6'1''.
His last opponent was Tamdan McRory who was 6'4''.

Maynard

Sorry to hear this. Really exciting up-and-comer with a pretty dazzling array of ground skills. Hopefully the time out won't hold him back for too long when he returns, although realistically it'll probably take recovery plus 9-12 more months before he's back to where he was.:o