UFC: Aussie fighter reveals how a talk with NRL star Andrew Fifita helped him return

Tyson Pedro has credited Cronulla star Andrew Fifita as the reason why he got his UFC career back on track, with the Australian star set to make his Octagon return this weekend.

Pedro, 30, ends his three-year injury hell in Las Vegas on Sunday, where he takes on Ike Villanueva ahead of Amanda Lemos vs Jessica Andrade.

The Penrith-born light heavyweight’s three-year stint out of action – owing to a serious knee injury – is the longest any UFC star has been sidelined for injury reasons, beating Dominic Cruz’s record by 13 days (1,239-day total).

Tyson Pedro (L) has revealed how Andrew Fifita (R) helped him on his road to UFC recovery

Pedro endured three major knee surgeries during his time on the sidelines, while he also tore his meniscus twice in training. 

His biggest setback came 18 months into his layoff, with Sharks prop Fifita raising concern about the speed of Pedro’s recovery.      

‘There was a certain point in my recovery, about 18 months in, where we were talking about what I could and couldn’t do,’ Pedro told the Daily Telegraph.

‘And he (Fifita) said to me “bro, this isn’t right … you should be able to do (a lot more) by now”.’

‘He wanted me go see the Cronulla physio, and got me in to see him. And it was so lucky he did.

Pedro returns to the Octagon this weekend after three years out with major knee injuries

Sharks star Fifita put Pedro onto the NRL side’s medical team to help him in his recovery

‘Because the Sharks eventually sent me off to a different surgeon who said my ACL, it wasn’t in the tunnel properly, and this was after 18 months recovery.

‘The new surgeon told me they could do (an operation) which would sort of support the knee or they could start from scratch again. So we started again from scratch.’

Pedro admitted that ‘there were some tears’ after undergoing his second surgery, but the support of Fifita and the Sharks helped him through it. 

‘Throughout my entire time out, that was definitely the toughest point – having to start over.

‘But (Fifita and the Sharks) were absolutely amazing … they’ve really been instrumental in me getting back here.’

Prior to his spell on the sidelines, Pedro had suffered back-to-back losses to Ovince Saint Preux and Mauricio Rua, but his return this weekend provides a chance to start afresh. 

‘I can’t remember the last time I’ve been so proud of myself – not folding,’ he added. ‘It’s almost bringing me to tears now talking about it.’