Sean Gauci details his MMA rise, hospital visits and UFC dream
A mystery stomach disease which had him passing blood 30 times a day left this man on the brink.
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Staring at the back of the toilet door, Sean Gauci passed blood for the 30th time that day.
The mixed martial arts athlete is involved in one of the bloodiest sports in the world but even he couldn’t prepare himself for the period of his life that had him bedridden, gaunt and passing claret while battling a stomach illness doctors couldn’t identify.
The 27-year-old has spent more time in doctors’ offices and hospitals than in the cage in recent years but the Sunshine Coast-based chiropractor stands on the cusp of breaking onto the elite stage.
Gauci has been offered a spot on Dana White’s Contender Series where a victory would ensure he has a major chance at securing a contract with the UFC.
Gauci, who is the son of former star jockey Darren Gauci, grew up playing Aussie rules football in Melbourne before making the switch to MMA when he was 14-years-old.
After a standout junior and amateur career, Gauci stamped his feet on the professional scene with six wins from his first seven fights.
Following a round one win in September 2019, Gauci began experiencing serious gastrointestinal pain and intestinal issues.
The strong, healthy and fit cage fighter dismissed the pain, convincing himself it was due to binge eating unhealthy food.
Two months on the pain increased and Gauci began noticing blood, severe bloating, trouble sleeping and excessive trips to the bathroom.
Given his body health, doctors first passed the issue off as a stomach infection before booking him in for a follow-up colonoscopy in January of 2020.
“I was taking the medication but I wasn’t getting any better so I was bedridden, lost about 10 kgs and couldn’t leave the house,” he said.
“At the most severe point I was going to the bathroom around 30 times a day and most of the time it wasn’t even to pass stool, it was just mainly blood.”
Doctors informed the rising star to stop training and fighting in fear of worsening his condition.
Following the colonoscopy doctors thought he had Crohn’s disease, prescribing him with some more antibiotics to help reduce the swelling.
“It helped for a bit but I couldn't get on top of it all and because it was during Covid it was very hard to see a specialist,” he said.
“My condition got really severe to the point where I was close to requiring surgery as 30cm of my colon was inflamed with ulcers and constant bleeding.
“I thought that was it, my whole life had changed so quickly which meant mentally I was checked out.
“A few months earlier I was winning by knockout and the fittest I’d ever been and then fast forward a few months I’m a completely different person.
“I was at such a pivotal part of my career so I went to some pretty dark places and was asking myself why me.”
One of his coaches at the time, Dave Hart from Dominance MMA said it was a tough period for all involved.
“The health concerns weren’t insignificant for him, especially when he was in pursuit of a professional career,” Hart said.
“A lot of other people would’ve just given up and stopped but Sean was very resilient throughout it all.”
By the end of 2020 Gauci was connected with Dr Chris Schneider, a specialist in gastroenterology based in Melbourne.
“Chris understood my case and reassured me a lot,” Gauci said.
“I was later diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis which is an auto-immune condition that attacks the large intestine.”
Gauci said he was thankful for the support from his family.
“I was living at home at the time so I surrounded myself with the best positive people and had so many amazing mentors that would help me when I needed them.
“I was quite depressed and got to some pretty bad places quite a few times but when I did I would just reach out to them and take so much away from a simple chat or some positive words.”
He said after constant check-ups with Dr Schneider he noticed a change in his attitude.
“Eventually my mindset changed to how can I get through this and what things can I do to improve,” he said.
“I was a professional athlete so it sounds funny but one of my goals was to get 5000 steps a day and that would give me such a massive boost which kept my head above water.”
Gauci said the improved medication worked extremely well to combat the disease and after spending the past two years in and out of hospital, he was ready to get back into the octagon.
“I count myself really lucky because for some people no medication works and they require a bag or a J-pouch,” he said.
“I’ve been in remission ever since, I did some rehab to get my health and my weight back in check before I clawed my way back into fighting.”
After 1169 days away from the cage, Gauci made his return with a knockout win in the opening 16 seconds against Ariane Fantilanan.
By 2023, after completing his university studies, Gauci relocated from Victoria to the Sunshine Coast where he began working as a chiropractor.
He quickly joined Caloundra-based gym, Ignite Martial Arts Academy, run by head coach Ryan Dunstan and his Dunstan Death Squad team.
With a further two wins to his name and titles in the Flyweight and Bantamweight divisions of Hex Fight Series, the 27-year-old received a dream call-up earlier this month to compete on the Dana White contender series in Las Vegas later this year.
A victory would ensure Gauci a major chance at securing a UFC contract.
“I woke up to a few missed calls from my manager Jeremy Green one Sunday morning and when I got onto him I could tell something was going on because of his voice,” he said.
“He finally told me that he’d received an email from Mick Maynard and explained everything to me.
“I couldn’t believe it, I went as white as a ghost with a massive adrenaline rush before telling my parents and my partner.”
The Contender series has become the main talent funnel to the UFC, leading to signings of future UFC champions and stars such as Sean O’Malley, Jamahal Hill, Johnny Walker, Brendan Allen, Bo Nickal, Australian Jack Della Maddalena and more.
Gauci will take on Perth-based fighter Anthony Drilich in October.
“It’s a huge step forward,” Gauci said.
“I had to keep it on the down low for a few weeks which was really hard because I just wanted to tell everyone but I signed my contract the other day so it’s all real now.
“It’s all been a whirlwind, something that’s been a long time coming but I’m really happy and think I’m ready.”
Hart said the call-up has been a long time coming.
“He’s moved away now but he’ll always be a part of our Dominance family,” Hart said.
“He’s an animal in the cage and there’s few people that deserve this chance more than him so in some ways it’s almost surprising that it’s taken them this long to get onto him.
“Plenty of athletes and fighters out there that sensationalise things but Sean has always just remained who is and that’s a very good person with plenty of integrity.
“We’re all super stoked for him and are expecting things to go great when he gets over to America.”
Current head coach Ryan Dunstan said he was extremely proud of Gauci’s efforts.
“When he got here I knew he had gotten through his stomach conditions but I suggested he aimed to get back down to flyweight,” he said.
“It’s been a process but he’s achieved the goal that we both wanted and everyone’s really proud of him.
“I can’t wait to get over there and show the world what he can do.
“In my opinion he’s already top five in the world so we’ve just gotta get through this fight and then the sky's the limit for this kid.”
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