Diego Rivas returns to UFC this Saturday after bout with testicular cancer
Diego Rivas (7-0) returns to the UFC octagon this Saturday in Mexico City for the first time since his February 2016 flying knee knockout win over Noah Lahat.
Following the win one and a half years ago, Rivas went to a doctor to check up on the injured knee, and ended up leaving the office with news he never imagined.
At just 24-years of age Rivas was diagnosed with testicular cancer.
“It’s very hard to put into words,” Rivas told UFC.com’s Thomas Gerbaci of his reaction to the cancer diagnosis. “I was shocked, obviously. Really, I had no immediate reaction. After the news settled in with me, I thought that my career was over. I thought nothing else was possible after my diagnosis, especially competing as an athlete. Honestly, I thought I was going to die.”
Rivas underwent emergency surgery, then chemotherapy and, eventually, he was given a clean bill of health.
Now cancer free he will return to mixed martial arts action at UFC Fight Night 114, Aug. 5, when he takes on Jose Quinonez. Rivas is the only current fighter on the UFC roster from Chile.
