Alan Jouban eyes end of 2020 return after ACL injury
The end of 2020 is when UFC welterweight Alan Jouban wants to return to the octagon.
The 37-year-old is currently sidelined due to an ACL injury, which he sustained while shooting a promo for a sponsor in November 2019. Jouban told Farah Hannoun of MMA Junkie he jumped in the air to throw a knee, but heard a “pop” as he landed.
After undergoing surgery in November, Jouban is planning a slow-and-steady approach to his recovery.
“I had an ACL meniscus and typically when you do an ACL, you’re looking at anywhere from six to nine months, so I’ll probably play it safe and go in the later half of that, towards the eight, nine-month mark, just to be safe, because new studies are showing now that people that come back too soon. Closer to the six-month mark they have a higher percentage of re-tearing it,” Jouban told Hannoun.
“To play it safe, and with everything going on, I’ll probably come back around the eight or nine-month mark which would put a return for me, if everything goes well, later this year around October, November.”
One injury after another
Waiting over a year to fight is nothing new for Jouban after suffering a neck injury in 2018. Following a 14-month layoff, Jouban lost a split decision to Dwight Grant at UFC 236 on April 13, 2019.
He also had surgery following two different hand injuries sustained from his fight with Grant. Luckily for Jouban, he still signed a five-fight contract renewal with the UFC after the bout.
Alan Jouban stayed quite active inside the octagon before suffering a series of injuries. He fought at least twice a year, every year, since turning professional in February 2011.
“It’s not been a great past couple of years when it comes to injuries,” Jouban said. “Sometimes you just get the injury bug and one thing happens after another and it’s out of your control.”
