UFC fighter Eduarda Moura diagnosed with bipolar disorder

Eduarda Moura (12-2) opened up about a recent bipolar disorder diagnosis following a decision loss to Wang Cong at UFC Vegas 113 on Feb. 7.

“Today I decided to open up a little about what I’ve been going through because you’ve always walked this journey with me,” Moura said. “This fight camp was the hardest of my life. I wasn’t able to train the way I should have, I missed weight, and I ended up losing.

“This is not an excuse, this is the truth. Last year I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and at first it was very hard, very hard to accept. I had my own prejudice about it, I thought it was weakness, something I could control on my own. And I tried, for almost a year, but I realized that mental health is just as important as physical training. I understood that treating, monitoring, and respecting my body and my mind is essential to keep living my dream.

“I started treatment, I’m learning how to deal with it, and it has shown me strength — not weakness, like I once believed. Today I want my message to be this: no one is weaker for needing help. Everyone has battles that don’t show up inside the octagon, but they don’t define us and they never will. I keep fighting, I keep believing, and I keep building my story.

“I want to thank all my fans who believe in me, my team, and my sponsors for standing by me even when I’m not at my best. I promise I will come back much stronger, better prepared, and more mature. I didn’t give up and I never will. Thank you, everyone, for everything.”