25 February 2020

UFC star Karolina Kowalkiewicz stranded in New Zealand following horrific eye injury from Yan Xiaonan defeat

UFC fighter Karolina Kowalkiewicz has been advised by medical experts she is not safe to leave New Zealand following the broken eye socket she sustained from a kick to the face during her defeat to Yan Xiaonan.

The 34-year-old Polish fighter suffered her fourth straight loss in the strawweight division while her Chinese opponent now makes it five wins in a row.

Kowalkiewicz was dominated by Xiaonan, who kicked with power and precision to deliver a flawless performance to claim the win by a unanimous decision in Auckland.

Kowalkiewicz in the face with a perfectly aimed kick, thus breaking her eye socket and leaving her with blurred vision for the remainder of the fight.

The Pole who, sustained the injury early on, was left with blurred vision for the remainder of the contest and now requires surgery before she can travel home. 

She gave followers an update on Instagram: ”Hi guys, thank you for your support. First time in my life after a fight, I cannot say I’m okay.

“Like you see, at the beginning of the first round, I have broken small bone here. I couldn’t see nothing. My vision was double and everything was like in the fog.

“After the fight, I spent all day in the hospital," she added.

“Today I going to a specialist and they [are] going to make a decision because I need an operation. And I’m waiting for a decision here or I go back to Poland and make this operation in Poland.

“But doctors said I have to stay here because flying with this eye is very dangerous.”

She shared a photo of the injury and the X-ray, accompanied by the caption:

"S**t happens. I still love this sport and @ufc. Don’t worry I’ll be ok."

Kowalkiewicz shares a photo of her injuries with fans (Instagram: @karolinakowalkiewicz)

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