Former UFC star James Vick was left unconscious and on a ventilator for at least two days following his recent loss, according to his promoter.
The news comes just months after Vick's scheduled bout in June 2024. Knocked out badly In the new Karate Combat League, you take down your opponent with a jumping switch kick to the face. Karate Combat incorporates most elements of mixed martial arts except grappling.
In a recent episode of “The Jackson Podcast,” the host re-enacted Vick's knockout with Karate Combat Association president Asim Zaidi, and the host noted that the clip has been viewed by more than 100 million people, making it possibly one of the most circulated mixed martial arts clips of all time.
“They put him in a voluntary coma.”
“I was there live and it was a very successful event. [The knockout] “It ruined my mood. I haven't been happy since then,” Zaidi told the host.
Podcasters, including former UFC champions Luke Rockhold and Quinton Jackson, asked how long Vick was unconscious after the blow to the head.
“A few days,” Zaidi said awkwardly. Reply“They put him in a voluntary coma and he began having difficulty breathing. [machine] To make sure he's still breathing.”
The promoter continued, “I stayed in Orlando so I could go to him when he woke up and meet him… and he said, 'What did he do?'
Zaidi reportedly told Vick it was a “switch kick,” to which Vick responded, “Yeah, I want to fight again.”
Vick became a UFC prospect in his mid-20s, compiling a 9-0 record in 2015.
Vick's first knockout loss was against Beneil Dariush in 2016. He then won four straight bouts before suffering four more knockouts between 2018 and 2021. The 2021 loss came in a regional promotion, but it resulted in a fractured orbital bone that led to his retirement from mixed martial arts.
“[A] A few days ago I suffered the worst loss of my career,” Vick said at the time. MMA ManiaHe then explained how he got injured.
“My eye socket was broken on the right side. It reached the other side, causing a bilateral fracture and my jaw is completely displaced, so I will finally have surgery tomorrow to fix it. It was a perfect shot. The doctors said I can definitely play again after this if I want, but this is my last game. I can't keep putting my family through this any longer.”
Despite the pledge, Vick competed again in the Karate Combat promotion 18 months later and lost by unanimous decision. He won by decision in April 2023, but was knocked out again in June 2024.
“I'm glad he's OK,” Zaidi added, “but morally I don't want to do that. I'm not going to put him back out there again. … He can be a coach!”
Other fighters agreed that Vick should not fight again.
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