Flyweight MMA fighter Ryan Curtis suffered a serious injury in training last week and Irish MMA stars like Conor McGregor and Leah McCourt are campaigning to help Curtis get the medical care he needs.
McCourt first shared what happened on Saturday via her Instagram., she has also been posting updates on Twitter. The news then quickly spread throughout social media, eventually reaching McGregor.
"Ryan has suffered a broken back, broken neck and dislocated spine," McCourt revealed. "During this injury, trauma was also caused to Ryan's spinal cord. The damage is classified as the most severe that can happen to a spinal cord. He was rushed to the Royal in Belfast and underwent emergency surgery."
Below is the full post Leah McCourt shared earlier, which details Ryan’s injury and the battle ahead.
— Andy Stevenson (@andyste123) January 13, 2024
Awful awful news. pic.twitter.com/h8PrO0hEPl
McGregor also made a post asking for people to hep and support the young fighter.
Sending my support and well wishes to Dublin MMA fighter Ryan Curtis after suffering life changing injury in practice. Here is a link to his go fund me , he has a young daughter and the family needs our support 🙏❤️ https://t.co/a57zcOqHkv pic.twitter.com/qTIhbekLc1
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) January 14, 2024
McGregor donated £25,000 to the cause. Dillion Danis also donated £1,000.
Irish boxer, Michael Conlan offered to auction off his fight kit to help with the medical bills.
A friend and fellow fighter Ryan Curtis has suffered serious life changing injuries while training, I’m going to auction off the fight kit from my last fight to help raise money for him. Bidding can done here on my twitter. Link to donate below https://t.co/i2doBq2rB3 pic.twitter.com/W0wCWbqGsK
— Michael Conlan (@mickconlan11) January 14, 2024
A GoFundMe has been set up for Curtis, organized by McCourt.
"Currently Ryan has no movement in his legs or his left arm. The road ahead is unknown and will involve at least 5 months of him in hospital, followed by a further period of time with a specialist spinal team. There is no exact end date to when this treatment will be complete," she wrote.
At press time the fund is at just over £80,000.
Curtis was scheduled to fight in February versus Davide Scarano at Cage Conflict 12: Anarchy.