UFC fighters help save leg of Aussie MMA fighter Tim Schultz who feared limb would be amputated
UFC fighters help save the leg of Aussie MMA fighter who feared his limb would be amputated after a horror training accident in Thailand
- Tim Schultz contracted a staph infection in Thailand
- Doctors thought Aussie might have to amputate a leg
- UFC fighters gathered to raise money for Schultz
- Schultz flew to Brisbane and was rescued
An Australian professional MMA athlete will not have his leg amputated after battling a life-threatening infection in Thailand and receiving help from some high-profile UFC fighters.
Tim Schultz, a 29-year-old from Brisbane, contracted a serious staph infection during a training camp in Thailand.
He was given antibiotics by doctors to treat the condition, but unfortunately for Schultz, these were the wrong medications and his condition rapidly deteriorated over the next few days.
The infection was so severe that Thai doctors told him his leg would have to be amputated, but Schultz wanted to return to Australia for a second opinion.
With medical bills mounting and in need of immediate help, Schultz turned to social media for help from the MMA community.
Tim Schultz (pictured left) contracted a serious staph infection during a training camp in Thailand
“A serious infection has affected my leg and its rapid spread is of great concern to my health,” he wrote on a MyCause page organized to raise money for his treatment.
“The infection has led to a dangerous drop in my blood pressure and blood oxygen levels, posing an immediate threat to my life.”
Well-known UFC fighters such as Casey O’Neill, Jamie Mullarkey and Kai Kara-France donated to the cause and helped spread the word.
Jimmy Crute and Jack Jenkins hosted a fundraising seminar in Melbourne encouraging anyone with money in the MMA community to donate.
So far, the MyCause page has raised nearly $76,000 of its $100,000 goal, with the help of high-profile UFC stars.
Schultz flew home from Thailand under medical supervision on Wednesday morning and immediately underwent surgery at a hospital in Brisbane.
At 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday night, a social media post from his account provided an update on his condition.
“Tim has not had any more surgery,” the statement read. “The skin has been removed from his shin to upper thigh and some superficial fascia has also been removed. Fortunately, the infection didn’t reach the muscle, so his leg can be saved.
The infection was so severe that Thai doctors informed him that his leg would have to be amputated
UFC fighters such as Casey O’Neill, Jamie Mullarkey and Kai Kara France donated to the cause and helped spread the word about Schultz’s plight
With the help of high-profile stars, Schultz’s donation page has raised nearly $76,000 of his $100,000 goal
“He’s in good spirits and thanks everyone for their support.”
Speaking to Daily Mail Australia on Thursday morning, Kai Kara France expressed his relief that Schultz would keep his leg.
“I’m glad he’s doing better and getting the support he needs,” the Kiwi said.
“If more people can donate that would be great – you’re not just saving a life, you’re saving a career.”
“I hope he can make a full recovery. It’s going to be a crazy story.’
About one in three people carry harmless staph bacteria on their skin.
It only causes problems if it enters the body through cuts, abrasions or medical equipment.
While healthy people can be affected, those with a weakened immune system, for example due to a side effect of chemotherapy, are more likely to suffer.
Infections are relatively common in MMA fighters, with UFC star Dustin Poirier hospitalized with the condition last December.