Silva Reveals Near-Fatal Blood Clots After Training

UFC featherweight Danny Silva spent three days in the hospital after a routine training run nearly killed him.

Silva pushed through a three-mile run two weeks ago despite pain in his ribs and left arm, only to discover swelling on his neck and chest when he returned home. Scans at the emergency room revealed a massive blood clot in a vein in his neck, with part of the clot having broken off and traveled to his lung, causing a pulmonary embolism, Sherdog reports.

Doctors told the 29-year-old that half of patients in his condition do not survive. Silva credited his fighting shape with saving his life. "Because I'm in such good shape I was able to survive," he wrote on Instagram. "The fact that I was training, sparring and pushing myself may have saved my life."

Silva Unsure About UFC Future After Medical Emergency

The American featherweight, who holds an 11-2 record and has lost only once in four UFC appearances, now faces months on medication with much still unknown about his condition. He said his second-round knockout of Kuris Campbell at UFC London in March might have been his final fight.

"Could this have been my last dance? I don't know," Silva posted. "I won't give up. I'd rather die trying, as bad as that sounds, especially because I was close to dying."

Silva has not fought since the Campbell stoppage and must now wait for medical clearance before any discussion of a return can begin.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — UFC prospect Danny Silva reveals life-threatening medical scare