Elite grappler and UFC veteran Vagner Rocha had just announced that he has been hospitalized after suffering from heart failure. The news has come as a shock to anyone who follows the professional grappling world, as it only been a few months since Rocha put on one of the best performances of his career. Rocha has been competing at the very highest level of combat sports for quite some time, and he’s had an extensive career across both BJJ and MMA. Rocha was awarded his BJJ black belt by Pablo Popovitch in 2007 and made his professional MMA debut not too long after that in the beginning of 2009.
Rocha won several fights on the regional MMA circuit and at Bellator before making his UFC debut in 2011, and he continued fighting until his retirement in 2017. Rocha never stopped competing in BJJ during that time either, winning three different editions of ADCC Trials over the years and competing at ADCC itself multiple times. He managed to reach the podium at ADCC for the first time in 2017, winning a bronze medal in the under 77kg division. He returned at the very next edition in 2019 and did even better again, leaving with a silver medal in the same weight class that time around.
Rocha won another bronze medal at ADCC 2022 despite moving up in weight to the under 88kg division, guaranteeing himself yet another invite to compete at the world’s most prestigious no gi grappling event. That was when Rocha hit the podium once again at 42 years old, winning a silver medal in an incredibly tough under 77kg division at ADCC 2024. Given that Rocha is just a few months removed from going 3-1 at the biggest event of the calendar, it’s shocking to hear that he’s spent several days in the hospital. Although this would be a huge challenge for anyone, Rocha has already confirmed that he’s on the road to recovery.
Vagner Rocha announced the news that he had been hospitalized with heart failure in a recent post to his official Instagram account. He shared the following message:
“Spent the last 5 days in the hospital undergoing tests, and the doctors found out I have heart failure. We don’t know how long this has been going on, but they said it could’ve been tragic if I had waited any longer to seek help. Years ago, this would’ve completely shaken me, but the closer I grow to God, the more I trust He’s in control. It’s been a serious situation, but through it all, I’ve experienced a deep sense of peace. I’m thankful for the care I’ve received, and for the love and support from loved ones. God’s timing is always perfect, and I am never been more sure that in fact He is working everything out for good. Now I am on the road of recovery, taking one day at a time and keep monitoring my heart. One thing I notice is if you can’t discern God’s time you won’t understand the process, you will fear, have doubts and will be desperate. But when you understand the process you have total trust that God is using people and situation to develop and equip you for what’s to come in the next chapters of your life.”
