After a close loss at UFC 324, Rose Namajunas has undergone eye surgery to repair damage she suffered during her fight against Natalia Silva. The former two-time UFC champion will now be sidelined for several months as she recovers and rehabilitates from a serious eye injury that required a canalicular tube procedure to aid healing.
Rose Namajunas, 33, faced Natalia Silva in a featured flyweight bout at UFC 324 in Las Vegas on January 24, 2026. While Namajunas lost by unanimous decision, she later revealed that repeated eye pokes during the fight caused a torn tear duct and significant damage to the drainage system of her eye injuries, serious enough to require immediate surgical intervention.
Namajunas announced on social media that she was heading into surgery to have a silicone tube inserted to repair the torn canalicular system, and confirmed via her husband, Pat Barry, that the procedure was completed.
Namajunas, who moved up to flyweight in 2023, has had mixed results in her new weight class and now sees her momentum stalled as she heads into recovery. Silva’s victory is expected to position her for a title shot at the flyweight champion.
Doctors and Namajunas’ team have noted that the recovery process will be demanding, including precautions such as not blowing her nose or sneezing for about three months to prevent disturbing the surgical site.
Namajunas underwent the procedure shortly after UFC 324, and she shared a video from Instagram before surgery explaining the situation. The surgeon placed a silicone tube in her eye as part of the repair process, and her expected recovery time is around three months.
Her post-operative care will likely include restricted activities to avoid pressure around the eye and careful monitoring by medical professionals. The timeline suggests she won’t return to full training or competition until later in 2026.
Fans and commentators alike have expressed support for Namajunas, emphasizing health and long-term well-being over a rushed return to the octagon. There has also been renewed discussion within the MMA community around how eye pokes are regulated during fights to protect fighters from similar injuries.
As the MMA world watches her rehabilitation, this situation underscores the importance of fighter safety measures and the long-term health considerations that accompany elite combat sports.
Namajunas announced on social media that she was heading into surgery to have a silicone tube inserted to repair the torn canalicular system, and confirmed via her husband, Pat Barry, that the procedure was completed.
UFC 324 Fight Recap
At UFC 324, Namajunas faced Natalia Silva in a bout many fans saw as closely contested, with some observers believing Namajunas had won two of the three rounds. However, all three judges scored the fight in Silva’s favor.
Namajunas, who moved up to flyweight in 2023, has had mixed results in her new weight class and now sees her momentum stalled as she heads into recovery. Silva’s victory is expected to position her for a title shot at the flyweight champion.
Injury Details
Namajunas confirmed that multiple eye pokes during the fight caused the injury, with one poke reportedly cutting deep enough to injure the tear duct. As a result, she required canalicular tube surgery, a procedure that involves inserting a small silicone stent to help the eye’s drainage system heal properly.Doctors and Namajunas’ team have noted that the recovery process will be demanding, including precautions such as not blowing her nose or sneezing for about three months to prevent disturbing the surgical site.
Surgery and Recovery Timeline
Namajunas underwent the procedure shortly after UFC 324, and she shared a video from Instagram before surgery explaining the situation. The surgeon placed a silicone tube in her eye as part of the repair process, and her expected recovery time is around three months.
Her post-operative care will likely include restricted activities to avoid pressure around the eye and careful monitoring by medical professionals. The timeline suggests she won’t return to full training or competition until later in 2026.
Implications for Career
This injury and its necessary recovery period push Namajunas out of competition for the foreseeable future, disrupting her plans for immediate title contention in the flyweight division. Once cleared medically, she could eventually move back toward championship contention, but that won’t happen until later in 2026.
Fans and commentators alike have expressed support for Namajunas, emphasizing health and long-term well-being over a rushed return to the octagon. There has also been renewed discussion within the MMA community around how eye pokes are regulated during fights to protect fighters from similar injuries.
Looking Ahead
Rose Namajunas’ eye surgery highlights the physical toll of high-level MMA competition and the challenges fighters face when injuries occur. While her immediate future in competition is on hold, her resilience and the strong medical care she’s receiving offer hope for a full recovery and eventual return to the UFC.As the MMA world watches her rehabilitation, this situation underscores the importance of fighter safety measures and the long-term health considerations that accompany elite combat sports.
