Strikeforce’s Benji Radach Down, But Not Out

Benji Radach punching Scott Smith

Strikeforce middleweight Benji Radach (21-6) has been on the shelf and has not been seen in the mixed martial arts world since a December loss to light heavyweight prospect Ovince St. Preux.

Since then, it’s been very quiet on the front of the 31-year-old.  The once highly touted middleweight has fallen off the radar.

Sources close to the situation informed MMAWeekly.com that Radach had sustained nerve damage to his neck.

The damage sustained was so potent it proved challenging for Radach to throw his powerful right hand with any velocity.  It also left Radach unable to feel parts of his own shirt.

Fight fans remember the former wrestler at Castle Rock High School from the memorable TKO victories he had over Gerald Harris in the IFL and Murilo “Ninja” Rua in EliteXC.

One might think that since the Strikeforce middleweight had this nagging injury that he wouldn’t compete in active MMA competition.  But the bills piled up on Radach and he took the fight against Ovince St. Preux with only six days of actual training.

At the time, he was told that his nerve was fine, but clearly there was something wrong.  The LA Boxing instructor gave it his best efforts against St. Preux, but he was outmatched and dropped a unanimous decision.

After taking some time away from the sport, Radach went to a new doctor in California to assess the damage.  The doctor confirmed the middleweight’s pinched nerve and has since operated on him to let the nerve breathe and give Radach his ability to throw his right hand again.

MMAWeekly.com has since been informed that Radach has three fights left on his Strikeforce contract and will look to return to action this winter.