UFC PI's Heather Linden details rehabbing Francis Ngannou through serious injury

LAS VEGAS – UFC Performance Institute director of physical therapy Dr. Heather Linden has dealt with some major challenges when it comes to rehabilitating athletes, and perhaps none bigger than the promotion’s heavyweight champion.

Prior to his last appearance in the octagon at UFC 270, Francis Ngannou injured his knee, which required surgery after defeating Ciryl Gane to retain his heavyweight title. Ngannou entered the fight with an MCL tear and damage to his ACL and MPFL.

Linden, who won Trainer of the Year at the 14th annual World MMA Awards, recalls the situation she and her team faced in preparing Ngannou to fight, despite the severe damage to his knee.

“Rehabbing him three weeks out from major injuries to a world championship,” Linden told MMA Junkie about one of the toughest challenges faced this year. “We all knew he’s a local, right? So, the minute he was injured, he stepped into the Performance Institute and we were able to get what we needed to get done, and really support him – and that’s really what we stand for.

“Coolest thing to see someone who is so injured almost close to pulling from a fight, and then literally going and winning a world championship.”

Getting fighters into the cage as healthy as possible is a regular challenge for Linden. Fighters often compete with injuries of varying severity, but with the help of the UFC PI, if they are able to make it to the cage, Linden says her team will do everything they can with the tools at their disposal to make it happen.

“Sports medicine, we’ve evolved so that there’s a lot we can do that, you know previously, injuries they’d be pulled,” Linden said. “Now we’re able to manage them, get them into the octagon safely, and still be able to collect on that paycheck and be healthy.”