“Thug Rose” is going under the knife.
Former two-time Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Strawweight champion Rose Namajunas saw her title hopes at a second weight class come to a screeching halt this past weekend (Sat., Jan. 24, 2026), dropping a close unanimous decision to No. 1 Flyweight contender Natalia Silva at UFC 324 inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
As if the loss itself wasn’t brutal enough, Namajunas revealed she’s now facing a lengthy recovery after suffering
a serious eye injury during the fight. Earlier today, the 33-year-old shared on Instagram that she was scheduled to undergo canalicular tube surgery — a procedure to repair a torn tear-duct system caused by repeated eye pokes.
“Alright, guys, I’m headed into surgery,” Namajunas said on Instagram today. “Canalicular tube surgery. I got poked in the eye a few times in the fight, so yeah. But my tube is torn so it’s going to be repaired right now. I’m going to have a silicone tube in my eye. Three months, so pray for me, guys. Just glad we can get it fixed.”
Canalicular tube surgery is no small matter. The procedure repairs a torn tear drainage canal in the inner corner of the eyelid — an injury that can cause constant watering, irritation, and vision issues if left untreated. An oculoplastic surgeon reconnects the damaged tissue and inserts a small silicone stent to keep the duct open while it heals. The stent typically remains in place for three to six months before being removed in-office.
The stent stays in for 3–6 months before easy removal in the office. When done soon after injury, it usually restores normal tear drainage successfully, though fighters face temporary discomfort and limited training during recovery.
According to Ariel Helwani, Namajunas also won’t be able to sneeze or blow her nose for the next three months — an uncomfortable but necessary precaution during recovery. Yikes.
The timing couldn’t be worse for Namajunas, who reportedly had a guaranteed title shot against Flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko lined up with a win over Silva. Instead, she’ll be sidelined and forced to rebuild yet again in a crowded division.
Namajunas is now 1–2 in her last three fights and sits at 3–3 since moving up to Flyweight. While her championship dreams aren’t officially dead, the road back just got significantly longer — and more painful.
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