Best Comeback of 2013: Matt Grice's unreal recovery from horrific car crash
In mid-November, Matt Grice returned home for the first time in two months. He was never supposed to make it back, not after an accident in which a driver barreling 65 miles per hour slammed into his stationary vehicle at an intersection.
At one time, his medical team prepared his wife for the worst, telling her it was unlikely he would survive. Perhaps they could be excused for their prognosis. Most ordinary patients would not have survived. But this was Matt Grice, a man who had already survived another serious car accident as a teenager that required eight surgeries. Not only did he survive it, but he went on to dual careers as a professional fighter and a policeman.
So when Grice went home, he was bucking long odds.
"They're just saying what a miracle I am to progress so fast," he told FOX Sports. "One of my rehabilitation therapists, she was looking at my chart of injuries and she just couldn't believe it. After talking to me and watching me walk, she said, 'This just doesn't make sense. You're a miracle.'"
Since then, Grice has had some short-term memory issues, and recently had a section of his skull that had been removed to alleviate swelling reinserted into his head. But despite those developments, he won't rule out any future possibilities. He plans to soon get back to his regular job as a policeman, and also to get back in the gym.
A UFC comeback is no sure thing, as Grice's doctors have told him they need to see how his skull reattaches before he can think about competing again, but even if doesn't pan out, it will still be a very happy holiday season in the Grice household.
"It's opened my eyes tremendously the way I see things now, the way I kiss my wife and my daughters," he said. "Life is so precious. It can be taken away at the drop of a hat. You just never know. I'm just so thankful. This holiday season is definitely one to remember and the most special one I've ever had."
Honorable Mention
Jon Jones vs. Alexander Gustafsson - UFC 165
After three rounds of action, the champ was down on the scorecards for the first time, but rallied with a crushing fourth-round spinning elbow that wobbled Gustafsson, and also took the fifth to eke out a unanimous decision and retain the belt in one of 2013's best matches.
Antonio Silva vs. Alistair Overeem - UFC 156
What a sweet taste of revenge for 'Bigfoot' Silva, who was belittled by Overeem in the leadup to the fight, and at times, seemingly openly scorned during it. After Overeem easily took the first two rounds, Silva took over and beat 'the Reem' silly in an electrifying knockout.
B.J. Penn's return
The most silently thrilling comeback of 2013 came surprisingly during an announcement on UFC Tonight, when the Hawaiian great returned into the fold dropping not one, but two divisions to featherweight in order to get another crack at Frankie Edgar.
Dylan Andrews vs. Papy Abedi - UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Kampmann 2
For some reason, Dylan Andrews felt the need to apologize for winning this fight. Amazingly, he managed to win after separating his right shoulder in the first round and after losing the first two rounds. Still, he not only won but KO'd Abedi in the third with a right uppercut. That's not reason to apologize, that's reason to celebrate.
