Carla Esparza gives health update after PRP procedure, expects to return this winter

UFC women’s strawweight champion Carla Esparza recently underwent a Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) procedure in two locations and gave a health update on Thursday.

“Got PRP in 2 locations last week, and started Physical Therapy yesterday. The hardest part for fighters is resting/healing when your doctors tell you to because mentally we are so tough we can push through pain, but we need to let ourselves heal so we can come back 100%,” Esparza wrote on Instagram.

Esparza last fought at UFC 274 on May 7, defeating Rose Namajunas by split decision to recapture the women’s 115-pound championship. It was her second win over Namajunas. If recovery goes as planned, Esparza expects to be back in the octagon in November or December.

“Pending approval from physical therapist, looking to fight in November or December,” she wrote.

“Platelet-rich plasma consists of two elements: plasma, or the liquid portion of blood, and platelets, a type of blood cell that plays an important role in healing throughout the body. Platelets are well-known for their clotting abilities, but they also contain growth factors that can trigger cell reproduction and stimulate tissue regeneration or healing in the treated area,” according to John Hopkins Medicine.

Henry Cejudo picks Valentina Shevchenko if Amanda Nunes trilogy happens