Struve (photo via UFC.com)

By FCF Staff

The future of Stefan Struve’s fighting career was in doubt after the fighter was diagnosed with a heart condition in August, but the fighter is reportedly responding well to medical treatments.

Struve was diagnosed with a leaking aortic valve and an enlarged heart, but according to a statement his manager Lex McMahon released to MMA Fighting.com, his condition has improved significantly.

According to McMahon “the leakage back into his heart has been greatly reduced” and additionally:

“…his heart is not as enlarged as it was, but since it is still enlarged, they are attributing it to a condition called ‘Sport Heart’ or ‘Athletic Heart Syndrome,’ which is fairly common in athletes who train rigorously for more than one hour per day and is generally considered benign.”

The manager also announced that Struve has been cleared to train again, so that doctor’s can monitor his progress, and that the prognosis for his health is “very positive.”

Struve hasn’t competed since March, when he was stopped by Mark Hunt at UFC on FUEL TV 8.

The 25 year-old fighter has gone 25-6 to date.