Former UFC fighter Darren Stewart was initially skeptical when he received a phone call about support for his ongoing hip treatment, thinking it was a prank. Known for his toughness and determination, Stewart built a reputation during his UFC career with several notable victories. Nicknamed “The Dentist,” he competed 14 times in the UFC, finishing with a 5-7 record, including two no-contests. After a loss to Dustin Jacoby in 2021, he was released from the promotion. Stewart then returned to Cage Warriors, where he originally started, before shifting his focus toward boxing, recently facing former UFC contender Darren Till.
In December, Stewart reached out to fans via social media to help fund his GoFundMe campaign, sharing the challenges of living with stage 4 arthritis and a torn labrum caused by years in MMA. He described his pain as severe and debilitating, affecting his ability to walk and spend quality time with his children. Stewart revealed the cost of a required total hip replacement surgery ranges from £10,000 to £15,000—an amount he couldn’t afford on his own.
In a surprising turn, Stewart shared that the UFC contacted him to help cover the surgery costs after seeing his GoFundMe and hearing his story. Initially doubtful, he soon confirmed that the UFC had arranged and fully funded the hip replacement through discussions with officials and private surgeons. Stewart expressed a mix of emotions—relief, fear, gratitude, and disbelief—after enduring years of suffering and feeling his body failing. For the first time in a long while, he sees hope shining through his hardships.
This gesture isn’t unprecedented; UFC has previously supported former fighters financially in medical emergencies. For example, they covered medical expenses for ex-UFC flyweight Muhamad Mokaev after a car accident.
Fan Take: This news highlights the UFC’s growing commitment to its fighters’ welfare beyond active competition, a vital step toward improving athlete care in combat sports. For fans, it’s reassuring to see the promotion support fighters even after their fighting days are over, potentially setting a positive precedent within MMA.
