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UFC Star Rose Namajunas Faces Lengthy Recovery After Eye Injury
Namajunas won't be able to sneeze or blow her nose for 3 months following surgery to repair damage from eye pokes during her UFC 324 fight.
Jan. 27, 2026 at 11:55pm
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Rose Namajunas, the two-time former UFC Women's Strawweight champion, revealed that she suffered a serious eye injury during her unanimous decision loss to Natalia Silva at UFC 324 in Las Vegas. Namajunas said she was poked in the eye multiple times, causing a break in the tear drainage system of her left eyelid that required surgery. She will need to have a silicone tube placed in her eye for 3 months and will not be able to sneeze or blow her nose during that recovery period.
Why it matters
Eye injuries are a major concern in combat sports like MMA, as they can have long-lasting impacts on a fighter's health and career. Namajunas' injury highlights the risks fighters face and the importance of proper safety protocols, as well as the challenges they can encounter in continuing to compete at the highest level after sustaining such an injury.
The details
Namajunas said she was poked in the eye twice during her fight with Silva, with one poke cutting the inside of her eyelid and reaching all the way into her tear duct. She will need to have a silicone tube placed in her eye for 3 months to help repair the damage, and during that time she won't be able to sneeze or blow her nose. Namajunas also expressed frustration that the referee did not deduct a point from Silva for the eye pokes, which she felt should have happened immediately to discourage such dangerous actions.
- Namajunas suffered the eye injury during her fight against Natalia Silva at UFC 324 on January 24, 2026.
- Namajunas will need to have a silicone tube placed in her eye for 3 months following her surgery.
The players
Rose Namajunas
A two-time former UFC Women's Strawweight champion who suffered a serious eye injury during her fight at UFC 324.
Natalia Silva
Namajunas' opponent at UFC 324, who allegedly poked Namajunas in the eye multiple times during their fight.
Pat Barry
Namajunas' fiancé and training partner, who provided details about the eye injury to reporter Ariel Helwani.
What they’re saying
“Pray for me guys, and I'm just glad we can get it fixed.”
— Rose Namajunas (Instagram)
“This is crazy. I have to have a tube in my eye and my nose for three months, and I can't blow my nose for three months, so it's gonna be rough.”
— Rose Namajunas (The Ariel Helwani Show)
“I'm upset because I got poked in the eye in the second round, couldn't see after that. I'm now seeing from pictures, it was multiple times. I was so locked in. I wish I would have protested, 'Like that's some bulls--t,' you know.”
— Rose Namajunas (The Ariel Helwani Show)
What’s next
Namajunas will need to undergo surgery to have a silicone tube placed in her eye, and she will not be able to sneeze or blow her nose for 3 months during her recovery.
The takeaway
Rose Namajunas' eye injury at UFC 324 highlights the serious risks and long-term impacts that fighters can face from eye pokes and other dangerous actions in combat sports. Her case underscores the need for stronger safety protocols and enforcement to protect the health and wellbeing of athletes.
