“May God Be With This Man”- Brain Cancer Battle Shakes MMA Community as Sedriques Dumas’ Coach Adam Hicks Goes Viral at UFC 314

Though UFC 314 is now behind us, the event continues to resonate with the community thanks to powerful moments that have recently emerged on social media. These glimpses serve as a reminder that MMA isn’t just about bright lights, big checks, or highlight-reel finishes. At its heart, the sport represents raw grit, emotional resilience, and an unbreakable bond—not just between fighters and fans, but also with the families, coaches, and teammates who walk through the fire alongside them.

One particularly emotional moment from UFC 314’s early prelims captured that spirit. It involved Sedriques Dumas and his longtime coach, Adam Hicks. While ‘The Reaper’ may have fallen short in a first-round TKO loss to Michal Oleksiejczuk, it was Hicks who stole the spotlight—not for his strategy, but for his sheer courage and loyalty.

Battling brain cancer since 2024, Hicks still made his way into the Octagon, determined to be there for his fighter. What began as a simple headache evolved into something life-threatening, yet the coach—gear and all—stood in Sedriques Dumas’ corner, fighting a battle of his own. As the event wrapped up, the story behind the coach’s presence began to unfold. ESPN MMA’s Instagram shared a clip of Dumas, post-fight, calling his coach into the frame and delivering a heart-wrenching moment.

“Come here, Adam. Turn around—see that? This man’s got brain cancer, bro. Man’s got brain cancer. I didn’t even know. My coach, Schach, even said he didn’t know if he was going to be able to make it—and he still made it.”, Dumas said to Hicks. The moment sparked an overwhelming show of respect from the MMA community. Sedriques Dumas’ opponent, Michal Oleksiejczuk, also paid his “respect”, commenting the same under the post.

Another fighter who had trained with Hicks added: “I’ve trained with Adam before. He really is a great guy. This is a testament to the kind of man he is and the legacy he will leave.” Alongside them, another member of the MMA community offered a prayer, commenting, “May God be with this man.”

While Adam Hicks received praise for his bravery and loyalty, ‘The Reaper’ own journey has been far more turbulent. Throughout his MMA career, he’s faced serious allegations, including multiple battery and domestic violence charges. Though those legal battles are now behind him, his reputation still carries the weight of controversy. Yet, through all the highs and lows, coach Adam Hicks remained in his corner.

After dropping two of his last three fights, Sedriques Dumas seems eager to hit the reset button. Just a day ago, he announced a significant change on Instagram, writing: “Back to the lab — I’m changing up gyms,” signaling a fresh chapter in his training journey. At the same time, coach Adam Hicks has provided a new update on his health. Here’s what he shared.

Sedriques Dumas’ coach offers candid health update after stirring concern within the MMA community

For over 20 years, Adam Hicks has been an integral part of the SSI family, dedicating himself to developing and mentoring fighters into well-rounded MMA athletes. However, his world was rocked when devastating news came earlier in 2024—he was diagnosed with brain cancer. In the United States alone, around 90,000 people are diagnosed with brain cancer each year, and unfortunately, the Coach became one of them.

His journey began with persistent headaches and vision problems, which prompted him to seek medical attention. This led to surgery, but the post-surgery pathology results were grim—Hicks was given just 12 months to live.

Despite this, Adam Hicks remains resilient. In a recent update shared on ESPN’s podcast, he responded to the overwhelming outpouring of support and messages from fans:

“Health update since I’ve received so many positive messages… In May 2024, I received the bad news after experiencing headaches and vision issues. The prognosis after surgery, when the pathology came back, was that I had an average of 12 months to live. That was 11 months ago, and my latest MRI showed no progression! My next MRI is exactly 1 year from my brain surgery, 5/21. Thank you all for the kind thoughts and prayers, and even the dark humor in the comments! All of which puts a smile on my face!”

With coach Adam Hicks now recovering and seemingly out of the danger zone, supported by prayers from all sides, do you think Sedriques Dumas’ decision to switch gyms at this time is a smart move? Share your thoughts below.