Former UFC women’s flyweight title challenger Jessica Eye is asking – in fact “begging” – for help as she deals with health issues.
In a detailed Instagram post Tuesday, Eye opened up about her recent struggles to make weight and shared that it’s been caused by her gallbladder, which she recently had removed.
Eye said that, beginning just before her title fight against Valentina Shevchenko in June 2019, she began experiencing “chronic stomach pains” and “brain fog,” which she largely tried to ignore.
“At the time I just chalked it up to so many things: moving to Vegas, leaving Strong Style and the stress that it left me with, re-injuring my back, new training system and skill set that was overwhelming to me,” Eye said. “I just assumed it was part of the new changes that were occurring in my life and eventually my body would adjust. It never happened.”
Although she managed to make weight for the Shevchenko fight, which she lost by second-round knockout, Eye was heavy for her next two bouts, including most recently before a loss to Cynthia Calvillo in June.
“The fight was on June 13, and no later than July 5 I would find myself in the hospital and no longer being able to handle the pain anymore,” Eye said.
Eye had surgery to remove her gallbladder on Aug. 12, she said. Since then, she’s struggled to recover and sounded as though she was out of options.
“It’s now Sept. 1, and I am in need of help!” Eye said. “I am not sure where to turn right now with what to do next. I feel the doctors took out my organ and just said, ‘Figure it out.’ I am struggling DEEPLY to eat, feel good and get back to any type of physical activity. I don’t know what to do anymore, and I feel I am inadequate to get myself through this and be able to return to normal life and the octagon.
“If anyone can point me in the directions to get help, I am begging. I just don’t know what to do now, and I don’t want to just give up.”
You can read Eye’s entire Instagram post (edited for clarity) below:
I most recently had my gallbladder removed. I first stated experiencing issues in June of 2019 right before I fought Valentina for the UFC title. The morning of weigh-ins was Day 0 for my gut health, as well as my overall health. It first began with sharp pains in my right side, light headed that would cause a black spot in my vision, painful spontaneous bathroom visits even with/without consumption of food, brain fog, and other unpleasant side issues that shows its ugly face to me.
At the time I just chalked it up to so many things: moving to Vegas, leaving Strong Style and the stress that it left me with, re-injuring my back, new training system and skill set that was overwhelming to me. I just assumed it was part of the new changes that were occurring in my life and eventually my body would adjust. It never happened.
I would be able to manage symptoms for months but noticed my walking weight started to become high again (150 pounds). For years previous and (before my) return to 125, I was walking around 140 at the heaviest. I wasn’t sure why, though, and by nature I always blame myself. My thoughts consumed me with negativity and sounded something like: ‘It’s probably something you did, stupid.’ Or, ‘Why are you always in your own way. Get it together. What did you east, FAT ass? Get the weight off.’ But deep down I knew my strenght training was correct, and my diet was, as well.
I was then offered Viviane in Las Vegas in December with adequate time to make a cut to 125. Again fight week was harder than it shoudl ever be. So then it happened, my worst fear in this industry. I missed weight. Devastated, mortified, repulsed by myself. And to others I just looked like I didn’t care about my opponent or my career. To say the least, if you actually know me, that couldn’t be further from the truth of who I am to the core, let alone what I consider acceptable, as well. Post fight, I would face many challenges within my team. The opinions of what I need to do moving forward would drive me away and push me deep into this sad and lonely place. I just felt like I was dealing with something different than everyone else, and no one understood.
The quarantine happened. … We all faced this devastating challenge with this new way of life, and extenuating circumstances would now be part of our future. I did all I could do to set up a training system in my house alongside a sauna so that I could cut weight if a fight would occur. So then it happened: I was offered a main event fight against Cynthia with two weeks’ notice and 20 pouns to lose. I idiotically said yest, as well as my team. However, I was not as honest with my health and my team about it. Again I chalked it up to so many other things, and with my larger than life personality I thought, ‘LFG girl! You can do this! Turn it all around and do epic stuff.’
Well, I did epic stuff, that’s for sure. I missed weight and lost a fight I should have won. My lackluster performance was how I knew finally I was dealing with something bigger than missing weight, chronic stomach pains and brain fog. The fight was on June 13, and no later than July 5 I would find myself in the hospital and no longer being able to handle the pain anymore. I then would start this healthy journey that still seemingly doesn’t have an end yet.
On August 12 I had my gallbladder removed because of lack of function and ability to save the destroyed organ due to doctors orders. I have yet to fully recover and figure out this new body I am living in. Not to mention I got staph in my belly button due to laparoscopic surgery and finally finishing antibiotics for that.
It’s now Sept. 1, and I am in need of help! I am not sure where to turn right now with what to do next. I feel the doctors took out my organ and just said, ‘Figure it out.’ I am struggling DEEPLY to eat, feel good and get back to any type of physical activity. I don’t know what to do anymore, and I feel I am inadequate to get myself through this and be able to return to normal life and the octagon.
If anyone can point me in the directions to get help, I am begging. I just don’t know what to do now, and I don’t want to just give up.
Thanks for listening and appreciate any guidance.
UFC’s Jessica Eye details struggles before, after having gallbladder removed, begs for help
