After a 27-Month Hiatus, Ramiz Brahimaj Returns with Renewed Spirit and Determination
After twenty-seven months away from competition, Ramiz Brahimaj is set to make his long-awaited return to the UFC cage. The journey back has been anything but easy, marked by a debilitating spinal injury that sidelined him for much of that time. Despite recommendations from some doctors to undergo surgery, Brahimaj chose the path of intensive physical therapy—a decision that has paid off in ways that seem almost miraculous.
“Pinch me. I’m dreaming,” Brahimaj beamed at the pre-fight press conference. “This place is my home and I’m happy. I’m excited. It’s surreal. It’s going to feel amazing.”
The Road to Recovery
Brahimaj’s time away from the sport gave him a new perspective on life and his career. The trials he faced during his recovery period, both physical and emotional, have granted him a sense of clarity and serenity that he might not have found otherwise.
“I’m not trying to be like the wise owl here or anything like that,” Brahimaj reflected. “But life and all of its circumstances, no matter how hard they may be or even good, I’m a testament to this; a lot of times in my darkest hours and through the most turbulence or whatever you want to say, I’ve come to find out who other people are but most importantly who I am.”
Embracing the Struggle
For Brahimaj, the key to overcoming adversity lies in self-belief and perseverance. He emphasized the importance of being one’s own biggest supporter and finding strength within, regardless of external judgments or challenges.
“You’ve got to be your biggest hero. You’ve got to be your biggest supporter,” Brahimaj said. “Who cares about what other people think? Be confident. Be comfortable in who you are. Trust the process and stay the course, because a lot of beautiful things happen with that.”
A Collective Effort
While Brahimaj’s journey was deeply personal, it wasn’t one he undertook alone. He credited his family, his team, and particularly his head coach at Fortis MMA, Sayif Saud, for their unwavering support throughout his recovery.
“I could sit here. I could shed a tear. I could be all emotional and angry and have everything going through me,” Brahimaj acknowledged. “But that’s not the way I choose to look at it. … I adapt to overcome. That’s it. That’s just who I am as a human being.”
Looking Ahead
As he prepares for his return fight, Brahimaj is embracing every moment of the journey. From the rigors of training camp to the anticipation of fight week, he’s finding joy and peace in the process.
“I just find peace in the calm and I just enjoy every single day of this training camp,” he said. “Now, I’m enjoying every single day of this fight week. Leading up to that fight, I’m going to enjoy every single minute, every single moment walking into that octagon, being inside of that octagon, handling business, up until I get the job done Saturday night.”
