MMA Africa released a statement earlier today notifying mixed martial arts fans that Springs’ JP “Tinkerbell” Kruger has had to pull out of his next fight scheduled for February 21 due to injury.
Tinkerbell has been in training for his EFC 37 against Darren ‘Double D’ Daniel in the Hexagon for Daniel’s return after a two year hiatus.
Unfortunately in build up to fight, Kruger has suffered a potential career threatening injury to his vertebrae and has been forced to withdraw.
Kruger has written a letter to his fans:
“Good day to my fans and followers,
It is with great regret that I have to inform you, unfortunately, that I have no choice but to withdraw from the EFC37 event, due to an unfortunate training incident that has forced me to put aside my fighting career for a while.
An injury to my vertebrae sustained during a wrestling session has caused severe damage to my C4&5 and C6&7 vertebrae and I have been informed by my specialist that an operation and some recovery time is needed to rectify the injury.
It is so difficult for me to do this as I have trained harder than I’ve ever trained for a fight and I am really sad that I am possibly not the one to welcome DD back to the Hexagon.
However I can tell you the through Christ who strengthens me, I will be back sooner than you think and cannot wait to get back in there and face whomever the EFC will have for me.
For my recovery period I will focus on training my own team and studying every aspect of the game, you will definitely witness a new and improved #TinkerBell; strong in my resolve to entertain and to spread the word of my Lord on the greatest stage in Africa, the EFC fighting Championships.
It breaks my heart to have to share this with you and is the very first time in my life I have had to pull myself from a fight, but unfortunately, as I said, I have no choice and for this I apologise and pray I see you all soon again.
Regards,
JP Kruger”
