When news first emerged recently that doctor’s had discovered that UFC heavyweight fighter Stefan Struve had an enlarged heart and leaking aortic valve the prognosis didn’t look good for his fighting future, but improvements since have lead to optimism that he may yet be able to make a return to the Octagon.
According to MMAfighting.com, doctor’s are now far more positive about his condition after the 25 year-old spent time being evaluated in hospital following a period of medication.
According to Struve’s manager Lex McMahon, the treatment he’s been receiving has helped reduce the effect of the leaking valve considerably.
In addition, doctor’s say his heart is not as enlarged as it was before and now suspect that he may have what’s known as “Athletic Heart Syndrome” which is not too uncommon amongst athletes and wouldn’t be considered a cause for concern.
There’s still some way to go until Struve could be cleared to return to the UFC, however. Firstly, he’ll need to undergo several months of training under the watchful eye of doctor’s who’ll be able to assess what effect that has on his heart condition.
If that goes well then it appears there’s a good chance the door could be opened for his fighting career to resume at som stage in 2014.
Prior to his heart scare, Struve had lost by TKO to Mark Hunt back in March in Japan. That snapped a four fight winning streak in the UFC, leaving him with a 9-4 overall record in the Octagon.
