Bas Rutten Undergoes Neck Surgery

Former UFC heavyweight champion and King of Pancrase Bas Rutten on Monday was awake in the hospital and recovering from neck surgery.

Rutten underwent surgery in hopes of making space for some impinged nerves in his neck.

The condition had been causing weakness in Rutten’s right arm, so much so that he said he could not do one five-pound curl. In contrast, he said he could curl 50 pounds for at least 30 repetitions with the other arm.

Rutten said prior to the operation that the procedure would “fuse three discs together in my neck, which will make space for my nerves that are caught right now, and then hopefully I will get my strength back!”

The procedure took place early Monday morning and seems to have went well.

Rutten was awake and commenting on Facebook and Twitter Monday afternoon, writing, “OK, Im awake, will let you all know more when I know more. Thanks for all the ‘Best wishes’, much appreciated!”

Rutten is currently a co-host of Inside MMA on AXS TV, and also recently starred alongside Kevin James film “Here Goes the Boom.”

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(Photo courtesy of Bas Rutten)