11 Fighters Suspended Following Strikeforce Challengers 15

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A total of 11 fighters will be required to spend time on the shelf due to injury following their Strikeforce Challengers 15 bouts on April 1, including both main event competitors.

The show, which was headlined by a lightweight confrontation between former bodybuilder Justin Wilcox and Alliance Jiu-Jitsu Rodrigo Damm, emanated from the Stockton Arena in Stockton, Calif. The event was the first Strikeforce effort made under Zuffa since the UFC's parent company purchased the San Jose, Calif.-based fight promotion in March.

Wilcox was suspended for 180 days for a broken fifth metacarpal on the right hand, despite battering Damm for the duration of their contest. “The Silverback” may be cleared to return to action sooner than that by a physician, however. Damm was suspended 60 days for lacerations to his left eyelid and forehead.

Co-headliner David Douglas was handed two suspensions after his TKO defeat at the hands of AMC Pankration product Caros Fodor. The Cesar Gracie pupil will be sidelined for a minimum of 60 days due to the overall damage sustained during his fight, and he has also been suspended indefinitely due to a concussion.

Scott Lighty was suspended for 60 days due to a scalp laceration suffered in his TKO loss to Lorenz Larkin in an action-packed light heavyweight affair. Though Lighty may be cleared early by a physician, he must spend a minimum of 45 days on the shelf for precautionary reasons.

Strikeforce Challengers 15 Medical Suspensions:
Justin Wilcox: suspended for 180 days with no contact for 180 days unless cleared by a physician for a broken fifth metacarpal on the right hand.
Rodrigo Damm: suspended 60 days with no contact for 60 days for left eyelid and forehead laceration.
David Douglas: suspended 60 days with no contact for 60 days precautionary reasons and a possible concussion.
Scott Lighty: suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days for TKO loss. Also faces a suspension of 60 days with no contact for 60 days for a scalp laceration, unless cleared by a physician.
James Terry: suspended 60 days with no contact for 60 days for a right eyelid laceration, unless cleared by a physician.
Josh Thornburg: suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days for KO loss.
Damion Douglas: suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days for precautionary reasons.
Wayne Phillips: suspended for 180 days with no contact for 180 days unless cleared by a physician for nasal fracture.
Anthony Avila: suspended for 180 days with no contact for 180 days unless cleared by a physician for a possible right hand fracture. Also faces a suspension of 60 days with no contact for 60 days for a scalp laceration, unless cleared by a physician for a right eyebrow laceration.
Raul Sandoval: suspended for 180 days with no contact for 180 days unless cleared by a physician for ruptured distal bicep.
Tom Peterson: suspended for 180 days with no contact for 180 days unless cleared by a physician for nasal fracture.