Bellator 115-lb chamion Zoila Gurgel, wife of Strikeforce and UFC veteran Jorge Gurgel, sparked an uproar online this week on the UG and twitter, after requesting financial assistance from her fans to pay medical bills stemming from a torn ACL sustained in training.

Gurgel stated that his attorney advised him not to answer questions regarding the extent to which the situation has put a financial strain on the couple. He said that he does everything he can to help his wife as well as her sister, who lives with the couple, and two fighters who train at his gym and also reside with them.

“Since we have been married, I have tried to help her get coverage, but she keeps getting denied,” Jorge said. “Zoila has had outstanding medical bills from California, Florida and Illinois.”

“I don’t care what kind of fighter you are or how much you make. You just can’t s--- out 54,000 dollars, without insurance.”

“I should know better than to let these keyboard warrior attacks get to me. t would be different, if I was in Brazil. I would challenge each and every one of them that insulted me and my wife to a fight.“

“Twitter is too much, it’s ruining people’s social skills. Everyone has their faces buried in their phone nowadays. I’d rather be riding a wave, or running and seeing the pavement beneath me with the sun shining down on my face."

Only fighters under the umbrella of Zuffa, LLC, the parent company of the UFC and Strikeforce, are insured for training, thanks to a policy change enacted just months ago. Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney expressed the promotion’s willingness to assist with their troubles, but Gurgel says “My wife and I do not blame Bellator or expect them to pay for her training injuries. We are aware they are not covered.”

Zoila’s ACL surgery has been scheduled with Dr. Timothy McConnel, who has worked on Jorge. According to Jorge, the doctor has worked out a payment plan with the Gurgels.

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tags-: Jorge Gurgel (detail)  Zoila Gurgel   Bellator