Tatiana Suarez forced off UFC 266 with ‘bad knee injury:’ ‘Life really hits us hard’

Tatiana Suarez is keeping a positive outlook despite another devastating knee injury derailing her planned return at UFC 266.

Suarez (8-0) was booked to fight Roxanne Modafferi (25-18) in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) women’s Flyweight division at UFC 266, which will take place inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Sat., Sept. 4, 2021, via ESPN+ pay-per-view (PPV). Suarez has long been considered one of the most impressive prospects in the promotion; however, she has only fought five times dating back to her 2016 debut because of injuries.

“I sustained a very bad knee injury and now I need surgery. I can’t believe it’s my reality but it is and when they do a story on me, it’s going to be the most kick-ass story out there cause when I make my comeback, it’s going to be amazing and I can’t wait for it,” Suarez said in the video. “I’m going to stay positive. I’m going to remain positive. I know that this is going to be hard. Injuries are always hard, mentally more than physically but I can do it.”

Suarez, 30, elaborated on her feelings in the caption of her Instagram video.

LIVE! Watch UFC 295 PPV On ESPN+ Here!

TWO TITLES UP FOR GRABS! Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) makes its highly anticipated return to Madison Square Garden in New York City on Sat., Nov. 11, 2023, with a re-worked pay-per-view (PPV) main card. In the ESPN+-streamed main event, former 205-pound roost-ruler, Jiri Prochazka, will lock horns with ex-Middleweight kingpin, Alex Pereira, for the promotion’s vacant Light Heavyweight title. In UFC 295’s co-main event, top-ranked Heavyweight contenders, Sergei Pavlovich (No. 2) and Tom Aspinall (No. 4), will collide for the interim strap after division champion, Jon Jones, was injured with a torn pectoral muscle and forced to withdraw (video).

Don’t miss a single second of EPIC face-punching action!

• STREAM UFC 295

“Life really hits us hard sometimes. I’d lie and say I have it together but I don’t. It’s been tough, to say the least,” she captioned her Instagram post. “I was really excited to fight again and I felt so ready and up for the task. I still can’t believe this is my reality. It’s heartbreaking, to say the least. I was in this same position a little over two years ago. I had to suck it up and focus on getting healthy. I did just that and here I am in the very same spot. This has to be one of the most challenging times of my life. But, as all of you know my journey has been filled with challenges. Injuries, Cancer more injuries.

“But, my journey has also been filled with many victories,” she continued. “I’m going to focus on those victories to carry me on. I have an amazing support system. My life is filled with people who love me and believe in me and that is priceless. Thank you all for your love and support. When I come back it will be better than every sports comeback story out there. I truly believe that. I believe I’m the best in the world. There is not a single doubt in my mind. Only up from here”

Finished reading this story? The party doesn’t have to stop. Click here to get more of the latest UFC news.