Torn ACL – Who Pays?

The question all along is no different from the normal working man or women – who is going to pay for the cost as it was incurred while working – er: in this case fighting.

It appears the UFC will foot the bill for former welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre’s pending knee surgery to repair a torn ACL.

President Dana White confirmed to MMA junkie that despite St-Pierre’s “frozen” contract status, the surgery in Los Angeles this week will still be covered by the UFC because he is not fully retired.

St-Pierre’s insurance policy has only been in existence since 2011, which raised a few concerns as to whether his injury and subsequent surgery would fall within the parameters of the policy.

“We have health insurance for the guys,” White said. “It should be covered even if the contract is frozen. He’s still under contract; he’s still a UFC fighter.”

The former champion successfully defended his title for the ninth consecutive time against Johnny Hendricks at UFC 167 in November.

After the fight, St-Pierre announced he would be taking a leave of absence from the octagon to tend to personal issues.

He would eventually vacate the title – now held by Hendricks – but continued to train in his time off in Montreal. Last week, he announced on Twitter that he tore the ACL in his right knee.

St-Pierre underwent the same surgery on his left knee in 2011 and was sidelined nearly 19 months.

Either way, pain sometimes isn’t worth the suffering, regardless of what you get paid, or so I am told.

Wouldn’t it be great to see him back in the ring – er Octagon?