Michael “Venom” Page got the MMA highlight of the weekend Saturday at Bellator 158 when he beat Cyborg Santos with a brutal flying knee, and proceeded to “catch” him with a Pokeball as Santos squirmed on the mat in pain. It was insane, and the moment went viral long before American TV viewers could even watch the broadcast but that devastating knee had some very real consequences for Santos. Word broke late Saturday that the knee left Santos with a “fractured skull,” and the photos of the injury are just as gruesome as expected.
Santos’ ex-wife and fellow MMA fighter Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino took to Instagram to update fans on his status in a lengthy statement complete with some ghastly photos of Santos and and x-ray of his injury. In her post Justino said Santos fractured skull “very easily could have been life threatening,” and that he has yet to begin surgery. Santos also can’t fly so for the time being the Brazilian is stuck in the UK as he awaits treatment and doctors “worry the brain can continue to swell causing more damage.”
What’s worse is Justino revealed that there is a GoFundMe set up to help Santos with his medical expenses, a detail that is sure to rankle T.J. Dillashaw, as apparently Santos is expected to cover the expenses out of his own pocket. At the time of publishing there have been notable donations from Justino herself along with boxing and MMA writer Kevin Iole and American Top Team, the home of fighters like Robbie Lawler, Tyron Woodley, Antonio “Big Foot” Silva and more.
It’s a harsh reminder of how unforgiving the sport is, both in the ring and behind the scenes.
