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The bare-handed killer is out. Bulent Gurcan was forced to tap out early in the August 4 episode of Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing following a frightening medical incident

Bulent Gurcan goes home in the latest episode of ‘Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing’ Season 2 

'Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing' Season 2 key art with Bulent Gurcan at the center
‘Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing’ | Discovery Channel
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Bulent is a seasoned Naked and Afraid veteran. Since making his debut on the Discovery Channel reality series in 2019, he’s completed multiple challenges and appeared on both Naked and Afraid: XL and Naked and Afraid: Castaways. But Last One Standing proved to be too much for the tough-as-nails survivalist. He was eliminated in the fourth episode of season 2. 

From the moment the episode began, it was clear that after nearly two weeks in Africa, Bulent was struggling. Then, the teams embarked on a difficult, five-mile migration journey to zone 2, which left him further depleted. 

After a long hike, the survivalists learned they’d have to complete a multi-phase individual challenge to advance in the competition. They had to create a fire-hardened, four-pronged spear and use it to catch a catfish. The last person to complete the challenge would be eliminated. 

As he struggled to work in triple-digit temperatures, an exhausted Bulent started to fall behind. He confessed he was feeling dizzy, losing his vision, and was experiencing serious dehydration. 

“I feel the lack of energy. And I feel weak,” he said. 

Concerned producers were keeping an eye on Bulent. When his symptoms worsened, they called in the medics. After a brief evaluation during which he was informed he was at risk of kidney damage and organ failure, he was pulled from the competition. 

“I definitely hit my limit,” Bulent said as he was driven away in an ambulance. “This is the end of my journey.” 

Bulent says he’s recovered from his ‘Naked and Afraid’ experience 

Bulent’s alarming state at the end of episode four had fans worried about his health. Fortunately, he appears to be recovering from his Last One Standing experience

“First of all, thank you for all the love and support,” Bulent said in a video shared on Instagram on August 5. “It’s been tremendous. To let you guys know, I’m OK. It’s taking a while to recover, but you know, these things take time. It’s an extreme environment, extreme challenge. But it’s got to be extreme. So, there’s no easy way around it. But I’m OK. I’m getting there.” 

“It was a very interesting challenge,” he added, before going on to share his impressions of his teammates and other Last One Standing cast members. 

“I hope I supported my team as much as they supported me,” he said. 

So, would Bulent return for another Naked and Afraid after his frightening Last One Standing elimination? He can’t say for sure, but he’s not ruling anything out. 

“I never want to say no,” he said. 

Bulent added that his latest Naked and Afraid experience gave him a renewed appreciation for how tough it is to survive in the African bush.   

“One day it will smile at you,” he said. “And one day it will smack you in the back of the head.” 

Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing airs Sundays at 8 p.m. ET on Discovery Channel. 

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