Stefan Struve Responding Well to Treatment for Heart Condition After Return to Training

UFC heavyweight Stefan Struve is responding well to his treatment for a heart condition, and the fighter fully intends on returning to full competition, according to the fighter’s manager.

Struve’s representative, Nima Safapour, recently told MMAWeekly.com that the 6-foot-11-inch Dutchman is optimistic about a return to the Octagon.

“He is taking the supervised medication and is back to training,” Safapour said. “[There is] no return date yet, as they are still seeing how his body responds to the treatment. He is responding very well to the treatment so far.”

Struve has an upbeat attitude, Safapour said, in terms of where the fighter is with his training. Ten days ago, Struve took to social media to express his excitement about finally returning to a full workload at the gym.

Finally back to a full training schedule, 8 sessions planned for this week. Looking forward to getting in Fighting shape again!

— Stefan Struve (@StefanStruve) November 11, 2013

Over the summer, Struve was diagnosed with a leaking aortic valve, as well as an enlarged heart. The conditions forced the UFC heavyweight into hospitalization, as well as an extended period away from training.

Prior to being sidelined, Struve intended on building towards a fight with Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. The match had been verbally agreed to through social media, with a target date for December, but Struve’s condition quickly put a halt to those plans.

Struve’s last appearance in the Octagon was in March of 2013.