- MMA fans shocked by video of former UFC star with speech impairment
- Nam Phan has been competing in combat sports for two decades.
- Phan is still involved in martial arts and would like to continue fighting.
MMA fans and pundits have expressed concern over a distressing video from former UFC fighter Nam Phan that shows a marked deterioration in his speech over the course of his career.
Phan, 41, is a retired American mixed martial artist and professional boxer who began competing professionally in 2001.
The Californian, who has competed in some of the biggest promotions on the planet including the UFC, officially hung up his gloves in 2017 but has still remained active competing in boxing and Muay Thai events.
A video clip circulating on social media shows a clear deterioration in Phan’s speech over the course of his career, likely caused by his many years of sparring and fighting.
Early footage of the clip shows Phan speaking clearly and easily, but in the latest footage she appears to be slurring her words, having difficulty with pronunciation and speaking very slowly.
“Tough man. Nam is an OG,” one fan commented.
“Nam Phan was a very nice fighter. It makes me sad to see him like this,” wrote another.
Well-known MMA journalist Luke Thomas shared the video on Tuesday, commenting on the sad situation.
“Devastating,” he wrote.
MMA fans and experts have expressed concern over a sad video of former UFC fighter Nam Phan circulating on social media.
‘There are many issues that intersect with this as well: poor oversight by the commission, limited salaries for fighters, risk assessment by the fighters themselves, and more.
“This sport will take your breath away. And there are many more who practice it here too.”
Some fans of the MMA star have suggested that Phan is suffering from the effects of the fatal brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
CTE is a degenerative brain disorder that has strong links to repeated blows to the head and can only be diagnosed after death.
It can cause dementia, personality changes and suicidal thoughts, and there is no cure or treatment.
In a recent interview, Phan admitted that he would like to have a few more fights, but combat sports fans don’t want to see that.
In a recent interview, Phan expressed interest in taking a few more fights.
“He shouldn’t fight anymore. It breaks my heart to hear it,” one fan commented.
“This is where the commissions should step in. This guy should NOT be fighting anymore,” another responded.
Last year, former UFC fighter Julie Kedzie revealed she plans to donate her brain for post-mortem research.
Kedzie, 42, had 29 professional MMA fights, with his last two coming in the UFC, as he finished his career in 2013 with a record of 16 wins and 13 losses.
In the decade since, he has openly admitted to suffering from depression, anxiety, hyperactivity, impulsivity and sleep deprivation, which are all symptoms of the fatal brain disease called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
With this in mind, Kedzie has pledged to donate her brain after she dies so it can be studied, and hopes the research can help other women in combat sports in the future.