Advertisement

Stefan Struve overcomes heart issue to keep fighting

It was a loss, and a bad one, and it put Stefan Struve on the edge. Back-to-back knockout losses aren’t a way of making it to the top in the UFC’s heavyweight division.

Much was in play after Struve was stopped by Alistair Overeem at 4:13 of the first round on Dec. 13 in Phoenix. Most notably, Struve had to worry about his job security.

But Struve was surprisingly calm after the defeat and, in a very significant way, regarded the bout as a win.

Stefan Struve said that before treatment he was only at 60 percent heart function. (Getty Images)
Stefan Struve said that before treatment he was only at 60 percent heart function. (Getty Images)

Just competing in the bout was a massive win for the 7-foot Struve, known primarily to this point for being the tallest fighter in UFC history.

Struve aspires for much more than that, however. He believes deep within his soul that he’s going to one day win the UFC heavyweight title. It’s a long journey from back-to-back losses to the world championship, but every long journey starts with one step.

And for Struve, that step was actually being able to compete in the fight.

A few months after his loss to Mark Hunt in 2013, Struve was diagnosed with a leaking aortic valve in his heart. He was born with a bicuspid aortic valve, which appears in less than 2 percent of the population but is far more common in males than in females.

The then-25-year-old had to confront the very real possibility he might not be fit to compete.

He was relieved though, in the spring of 2014, when doctors cleared him to return to compete. He was put on medication that was expected to control his condition and allow him to compete normally.

“There was a lot going on in my life at the time,” said Struve, who lost his father, Jaap, to cancer while he was trying to get an answer about his heart.

After he was cleared and put on medication, Struve took a fight against Matt Mitrione in Las Vegas on July 5, 2014, at UFC 175. Struve’s heart began to race, though, and he fainted in the locker room. Though he recovered, the UFC’s medical personnel wouldn’t allow him to compete.

“When I blacked out in the locker room, we were all wondering what was wrong with my heart,” Struve said. “We had no idea.”

After being examined again, doctors discovered that he had an adverse reaction to his medication.

The medication was switched and suddenly, Struve was back to normal.

“You know, we found out that, how should I say this, the medication was messing with my head,” Struve said. “It was kind of making me go crazy. But the good thing is, we learned it was correctable. And so I was disappointed to have to miss that fight [with Mitrione], but I looked at it like another hit that wasn’t going to keep me down.”

So he lost to Overeem in December, and though it was devastating on one hand, it had nothing to do with his heart.

“Stupid mistake,” Struve grumbled.

Now, he’s set to fight Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira on Saturday at UFC 190 in Rio de Janeiro. This will be his first fight after working with the highly regarded Blackzilians team in Florida, and he said the difference in him is notable.

Most significantly, Struve said, is that the new medication is working and Struve’s heart is functioning at or close to 100 percent.

He feels he’s set for a major comeback, and knows his story will prove inspirational if he manages to go all the way to the top.

“I think I’ve proven I’m not going to give up and that I’ll fight through anything,” Struve said. “I don’t think there are a lot of people who would have continued to fight with all the stuff that happened to me. I think it shows what kind of person I am and it backs up what I say when I tell people I’m willing to go through anything to reach my goal.

Stefan Struve lands a punch in his loss against Mark Hunt. (Getty Images)
Stefan Struve lands a punch in his loss against Mark Hunt. (Getty Images)

“It definitely makes for a great story and people love that. The way I see it, I got nine wins in the heavyweight division by 24 years of age with a heart that was only working at 60 percent. How much more can I do with a heart that is working properly? I feel so much better.”

He feels good enough that he won’t even feel bad if he knocks off his idol. Struve grew up idolizing the legendary Nogueira, and said it is an honor for him to fight his hero.

Don’t expect Struve to take it easy on him, though. In a lot of ways, this fight is the start of his career. He’s finally back at full strength and eager to get to the top.

Nogueira won’t be an idol once the bell rings, yet simply another obstacle he must overcome.

“Going to the Blackzilians put me into a very professional sports climate, and that’s what I needed,” Struve said. “My body is improving so much. I’m weighing about 235 pounds now and I’ve put so much muscle on my body. I’m getting so much more oxygen now, and so I can go harder and I’m putting on more muscle and becoming the best I can be.

“I feel like I’m the total package now. I’ve got a lot of speed, especially for a 7-foot heavyweight. I’ve got power. I have the power in my legs to break people and the power in my hands to knock people out. We’ve improved my wrestling and my ground, and I’m looking forward to putting it all together in the cage on Saturday. This will be a chance for people to see the real Stefan Struve.”

More UFC coverage: