Chris Horodecki off Affliction Show
Chris Horodecki, the now 21 year old 'baby assassin' who enjoyed a meteoric rise during the IFL's brief history, failed his medical evaluation. Therefore, he was unable to gain a license for competition in California; scrubbing him from participation in Affliction's: Day of Reckoning show on Saturday.
As reported (Laura Hunt of Sherdog.com), his manager/trainer Shawn Tompkins stated that he lacks 80% strength in his right arm secondary to a bulging disk in his neck.
From a medical perspective, this is a very interesting explanation. Very rarely do merely bulging disks cause significant weakness; herniated disks, commonly...bulging disks, not so much. Also this type of pathology/injury is exceedingly uncommon in an otherwise healthy 21 year old.
I have often made the statement that many times athletes must be protected from themselves due to their competitive nature. This statement is rarely popular or well received. But this appears to be a prime example.
Why would Chris even attempt to attain a license to compete with significant (80%) arm weakness? How could he intelligently defend? Might there be a high likelihood that competing could make this problem far worse?
Why did he attempt licensure? Simple...Because fighters fight. Just as all professional athletes are paid to perform, many times without regard to their potential short-term and long-term physical and/or mental well being.
Hardcore fans commonly complain about the necessity of thorough pre-fight medical evaluations. Clearly the CSAC's comprehensive evaluation process protected a talented, young man. Job well done.
Now a young man can receive proper medical treatment and hopefully continue with his career and enjoy a full life.
I agree that Horodecki should not have even attempted licensure.
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