MMA Fight Academy’s Edoardo Caiazza Discusses his Career-Threatening Brain Hemorrhage

Edoardo Caiazza had to overcome a life-changing obstacle on his way to becoming a professional mixed martial artist.

Caiazza (3-0) leads the Italian delegation in San Diego, Calif., as part of the MMA Fight Academy program. Four Italian fighters—Caiazza, Francesco Mazzeo, Luca Borando and Khadim Dia—have been selected by Mola TV for an intense athlete career development and management program. Together with 16 other athletes from the U.K. and Indonesia, they underwent an extensive three-month training camp to elevate their skills, experience and profile under the keen eye of head coach Marc Fiore. Now, Aurora MMA representative Caiazza will take on Marko Sarasjarvi on the upcoming Cage Warriors 154: Rome card with a Championship contract on the line.

Bellator MMA alum Caiazza came close to never seeing his dream of professional fighting come true. At 17, he experienced a brain hemorrhage while training due to congenital vascular birth defect he didn't know about. Caiazza had to be put into a medically induced coma until his condition became stable before undergoing surgery one year later. Caiazza thought his fighting career was over, but continued to train nevertheless. After spending four years away from competition, the doctors cleared him to make his amateur debut at age 21, followed by his pro debut at 24.

(00:00) Intro
(00:35) Taking part in MMA Fight Academy
(01:17) His Bellator MMA victory
(01:47) His training camp in San Diego, Calif.
(02:58) The difference between training in Italy and the U.S.
(04:39) Dealing with a brain hemorrhage
(05:42) Staying positive during the storm
(07:04) Moving to Rome to train at Aurora MMA
(08:32) Commenting on the importance of his upcoming assignment
(09:57) Outro