Former UFC champ Germaine de Randamie cleared for return to training after hand surgery

Former UFC women’s featherweight champion Germaine de Randamie has officially received clearance to return to training.

De Randamie (7-3 MMA, 4-1 UFC) underwent surgery on her right hand in early September after, she said, it had been an issue for several fights. She was forced to withdraw from a scheduled UFC Fight Night 115 matchup with Marion Reneau this past month and finally opted to go under the knife.

After the operation was completed with “no complication,” de Randamie recently announced that she’s able to return to training and book her next fight.

“Got the best news today (which feels like it’s been forever),” de Randamie wrote on Instagram. “Got green light from my doctor to start training again. Thank you so much Dr. Feitz.”

De Randamie has not competed since UFC 208 in February, when she earned a unanimous-decision victory over Holly Holm to win the inaugural UFC women’s 145-pound belt. Officials attempted to set up a first title defense against Cris Cyborg at UFC 214 in July. However, de Randamie didn’t accept the fight, and as a result, she was stripped of the title.

“The Iron Lady” moved back down to the women’s bantamweight division for the fight with Reneau, and though the bout never happened, that seems to be her desired weight class going forward.

De Randamie, No. 8 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA women’s bantamweight rankings, did not mention any potential opponents for her next fight, but she made it clear she’s returning with no shortage of motivation.

“More determined than ever before,” de Randamie wrote. “I’m coming back stronger, faster, more hungry than ever before!”

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