Mauricio Umansky Quits 'Special Forces' After Rib Injury

Mauricio Umansky has officially exited Fox’s Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test after a painful rib injury forced him to withdraw during the Oct. 15 episode in Malaysia ^[1]. The 56-year-old Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star announced his departure mid-challenge, saying he could no longer physically endure the rigors of the show.

The injury occurred after a prior fight with contestant Matt Barnes, which Umansky said left him with a cracked rib ^[2]. He claimed he endured the pain through adrenaline but feared further damage during an upcoming chemical warfare simulation involving tear gas ^[1]. "I just got fearful that hacking up a lung with a cracked rib could cause larger damage like a punctured lung," he told Us Weekly.

Despite being called "grandpa" by directing staff, Umansky said he wasn’t offended, joking that he was about to become a real-life grandpa when his stepdaughter Farrah Brittany Aldjufrie welcomes her first child later this fall ^[2]. "I was the oldest guy there… and by the way, I’m going to be a grandpa in less than a month," he said.

Umansky expressed regret over leaving after just four days, stating he wished he could have lasted much longer ^[2]. His daughter, Alexia Umansky, continues on the show. The season five finale airs weekly on Fox Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET.

According to Umansky, the claim that Shady McCoy should have fought Matt Barnes instead of him has not been confirmed ^[2].