‘Jacare’ Souza undergoes surgery for pectoral rupture

Ronaldo Souza underwent surgery Thursday morning in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The UFC middleweight contender, who recently suffered a TKO loss to Robert Whittaker in Kansas City, revealed that he suffered a pectoral rupture during his UFC on FOX 24 bout.

Souza underwent a two-and-a-half hour surgery at the Vitoria hospital, and his doctor Rickson Moraes deemed it a success.

“Alongside with Dr. Rickson, I decided to undergo surgery to heal this injury once and for all,” Souza stated in a release. “I'm feeling relieved. I’m already recovering well, and I’ll move one step at a time towards my comeback to training and to the Octagon. I’ll be back soon, stronger and even hungrier to fight., hungrier to win."

Souza’s medical team will be able to provide a timetable for his return to training after he starts physical therapy.

"Jacare" (24-5, 1 NC) was campaigning with a shot at the UFC middleweight championship after winning seven of eight under the UFC banner, but needs to work his way back up after his surprising loss to Whittaker.