Former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva returns to the Octagon for the first time since he suffered a horrific leg injury in December 2013 in a fight against Chris Weidman.
With "The Spider" finally back, ESPN started thinking about other currently sidelined fighters we can't wait to see back in action. Here is list of our Top 10. Get well soon.
Injury: ACL tear, December 2014
Estimated date of return: The 29-year-old former bantamweight champion went under the knife earlier this month to repair his right ACL. It is the third time Cruz has undergone ACL surgery: twice on the left, once on the right. He has predicted a relatively quick turnaround for this kind of injury and hopes to be back in the gym within nine months. A five-round title fight could be waiting for Cruz upon his return.
Injury: Sprained MCL and torn meniscus, October 2014
Estimated date of return: Midsummer, hopefully. Velasquez has resumed boxing, but he awaits medical clearance to grapple and throw kicks. The promotion is hopeful Velasquez will be ready to face interim champion Fabricio Werdum by the midpoint of 2014, but Velasquez has made it clear he'll proceed with caution and not rush back. Everyone is antsy for the return of the heavyweight champion, who didn't make a single appearance in the past year.
Injury: Torn meniscus, July 2014
Estimated date of return: The undefeated Russian lightweight originally predicted a return to the Octagon around March. It now looks as if Nurmagomedov's comeback will take place a little later than that, but a title eliminator bout against the surging Donald Cerrone will be a fun, welcome back party. Expect that fight in late spring.
Injury: Concussion, July 2013
Estimated date of return: None. The Canadian lightweight has stated on several occasions that his condition continues to improve, but as of January 2015, no timetable exists for his return. Grant suffered the concussion during a grappling session and it cost him a shot at the UFC title. The two-year anniversary of his last fight, a knockout win over Gray Maynard, is in May.
Injury: ACL tear and torn meniscus, July 2014
Estimated date of return: Arguably the biggest threat to Demetrious Johnson's dominance at 125 pounds, Dodson should return to the Octagon in the spring (think May-ish). The Jackson-Winkeljohn flyweight has resumed pad work and strength and conditioning. With Johnson cleaning out the division, there is an off-chance Dodson could get a title shot when he comes back, but it's more likely he'll take a "tuneup" to get his legs under him after the long layoff.
Injury: Recurring hand and wrist issues, Late 2013
Estimated date of return: One of the brightest young talents in the sport failed to make a single appearance in 2014 due to injury. McDonald underwent hand surgery in the final quarter of the year to address bone spurs in his knuckle area. A few months later, he underwent another surgery to deal with an issue in his wrist. No hard timetable exists for his return, but McDonald is hopeful he's not far off, now that the issues in his hands have at least been identified.
Injury: ACL tear, February 2014
Estimated date of return: The former champion was scheduled to fight Glover Teixeira in February, but was eventually pulled from the card after Teixeira pulled out due to injury. Teixeira has expressed an interest in re-booking the light heavyweight bout, but no news on that front as of yet. The 35-year-old Evans continues to strengthen his body and recover from the knee injury.
Injury: ACL tear and torn meniscus, March 2014
Estimated date of return: The practice room usually claims more victims than the actual Octagon, but that wasn't the case with Condit. When the former title contender blew out his knee during a fight against Tyron Woodley, it was pretty obvious to everyone in the arena. Condit is back to full training, but with limited intensity. He should be ready to go as early as April, perhaps May.
Injury: Concussion, Early 2014
Estimated date of return: Holdsworth, 27, has admitted to suffering multiple concussions in the training room in Sacramento, and he has taken it easy since a win over Chico Camus last May as a result. Head trauma does not lend itself to concrete recovery times and such is the case for Holdsworth, who does not have an estimated time frame for his return. He has the potential to be a major player at 135 pounds, once healthy.
Injury: ACL tear, August 2014
Estimated date of return: The Tristar Gym welterweight tore his ACL early in an August fight against Neil Magny, but managed to finish the fight (and even win it, according to some). Garcia has been cleared to do very light grappling, but he still has several medical hurdles to clear before he can return to the cage. Early summer is a possible return target if all continues to go well with Garcia's recovery.
