CFFC 89 headliner Bassil Hafez refused to let car crash, multiple surgeries derail his MMA dream

Many fighters dream of the opportunity to compete at MMA's highest level, but few have had their resolve tested like Bassil Hafez. The welterweight grappling ace has been chasing that passion but nearly had it all taken away from him.

"I had a bad year-and-a-half of things happening," Hafez said. "I was getting ready for EBI Combat Jiu-Jitsu. I was in the middleweight combat jiu-jitsu tournament, and I had a car accident. I ended up getting injured real bad. I had internal bleeding. I was in ICU for like six days. I had to pull out of the EBI because of the internal bleeding, but I had a slight fracture in my spinal cord, too."

Undaunted, Hafez recovered from his injuries and kept focus on his dream. Then he was presented with another devastating setback.

"I ended up tearing the meniscus in both my knees," Hafez said. "I ended up having to have two knee surgeries and then still had complications. I had trouble with seeing the right doctors that could fix the issue. I had a bunch of meniscus particles that were floating around in the one knee that were causing my knee to not be able to get through physical therapy and get to training, so I had to get a third surgery."

It was a real test of Hafez's faith in his dream, but one he was intent on passing.

"It was definitely a crappy time for me," Hafez said. "I didn't have any job or work. Fighting was my only main source of income, so I was doing pretty bad money-wise. I couldn't even afford a $5 food truck tray out here. It was definitely a bad time, but I found a way to make it through, focusing on getting myself back and doing what I could do while I was out.

"Thankfully, the third surgery worked out, and I didn't need anything else after that. I pushed through, got my physical therapy done and did everything else on my own and finally was able to make it back to training. It's been head to the grindstone and marching forward since then."

A five-time Cage Fury Fighting Championships veteran, Hafez returned to the cage this past February, fighting in a smaller show on the Pennsylvania regional scene and scoring a decision win.

"It was a huge mental release to get back in there and do what I love," Hafez said. "It was cool jumping into a main-event slot, too. It was my first official main event, so it was good getting my feet wet again and getting back in there."

On Thursday, Hafez (5-2-1) takes a big step up, as he headlines CFFC 89 at 2300 Arena in Philadelphia live on UFC FIGHT PASS. He takes on undefeated Canadian prospect Christien Savoie (8-0) with the vacant CFFC welterweight title on the line.

"Emotions are high," Hafez said. "This is a huge opportunity. I know that almost every welterweight champ for CFFC has gone to the UFC. It's a great opportunity for me, probably the biggest opportunity I've had, and I'm confident. I can't wait to get in there, and I can't wait to prove why I deserve to be in there and competing with these guys at a high level.

"Mentally, I'm feeling great. Physically, I'm in some of the best shape I've been in in a long time, so I'm excited. I'm excited, and I'm confident, and I'm ready to throw down."

A Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, Hafez has spent his time away from competition honing his striking skills, as well, and believes he's now adept in all phases of a fight. CFFC has proven a solid pipeline to bigger organizations, and Hafez hopes he'll soon get that experience, as well.

But first, he knows he must focus on the task at hand. All the hard work to reach this point simply cannot be wasted.

"I definitely feel like this is a great opportunity," Hafez said. "I've been chomping at the bit to get in there and put hands on this guy. After this fight, I would love the opportunity at a larger show, but one fight at a time. I have to win this one first."

CFFC 88 OFFICIAL FIGHT CARD

Tycen Lynn (7-4) vs. Phil Caracappa (9-1)
Bantamweight Main Event

Josh Jackson (4-2) vs. Nazim Sadykhov (3-1)
Claudia Baril (1-0) vs. Criszaida Adames (2-0)
Miguel Diaz (2-1) vs. Dilshod Zaripov (2-0)
Chris Vasil (3-1) vs. Fadi Shuman (3-1)

Russ Korbul (5-2) vs. Manny Morales (3-2)
Brett Floyd (4-2) vs. Shawn Stefanelli (4-3)

CFFC 89 OFFICIAL FIGHT CARD

Bassil Hafez (5-2-1) vs. Christien Savoie (8-0)
Vacant CFFC Welterweight Title Fight

Sitik Muduev (8-2) vs. Frankie Buenafuente (10-4)
Joshua Smith (8-5) vs. Charalampos Grigoriou (3-1)
Mike Gonzalez (3-2) vs. Vilson Ndregjoni (2-1)
Jonathan Piersma (DEBUT) vs. Tyler Bunting (DEBUT)
Jerome Macalino (1-0) vs. Tommy Majeski (1-0)