UFC 121 Medical Suspensions: Lesnar Out Up to Six Months

Five fighters who competed at UFC 121 on Saturday at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., have been issued 180-day medical suspensions by the California State Athletic Commission. This includes the show’s headliner, former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar, who surrendered his title to challenger Cain Velasquez in a bloody first-round technical knockout.

Lesnar’s suspension is actually three-fold. The fighter’s 180-day suspension is due to possible eye injuries, but the former champion may be cleared early by an ophthalmologist. Even if he were given the green light on his vision tomorrow, however, Lesnar is still required to sit out at least 60 days for his left cheek laceration, with no contact allowed. Finally, regardless of either suspension, the champion would have been forced to sit out for at least 45 days, with no contact for 30 days for precautionary reasons after being TKO’d by Velasquez.

The other four fighters to receive 180-day suspensions were Patrick Cote, Court McGee, Diego Sanchez and Jake Shields.

Cote and Shields have eye issues to blame for their suspensions. The Canadian may have sustained retina damage, and Shields was a victim of blurred vision and bleeding of the eye after bouts with Tom Lawlor and Martin Kampmann, respectively.

McGee and Sanchez, on the other hand, suffered their injuries while dishing out the punishment. McGee may have broken his hand in his inspired come-from-behind victory over Ryan Jensen, while Sanchez’s right wrist may be fractured after an equally rousing win against Paulo Thiago. All four fighters may be cleared early pending a medical examination.

UFC 121 “Lesnar vs. Velasquez” Medical Suspensions

Brock Lesnar -- suspended 45 days, with no contact for 30 days; 60 days, with no contact for 60 days for left cheek laceration; and 180 days, with no contact for 180 days (may be cleared early by ophthalmologist)

Jake Shields -- suspended 180 days, with no contact for 180 days (may be cleared early by ophthalmologist for bleeding in eye and blurred vision)

Diego Sanchez -- suspended 180 days, with no contact for 180 days (may be cleared early by physician for possible right wrist fracture)

Paulo Thiago -- suspended 60 days, with no contact for 60 days (may be cleared early by physician for laceration)

Tito Ortiz -- suspended 45 days, with no contact for 30 days

Brendan Schaub -- suspended 45 days, with no contact for 30 days

Gabriel Gonzaga -- suspended 45 days, with no contact for 30 days

Court McGee -- suspended 45 days, with no contact for 30 days; 180 days, with no contact for 180 days (may be cleared by physician early for possible right hand fracture)

Ryan Jensen -- suspended 45 days, with no contact for 30 days

Patrick Cote -- suspended 180 days, with no contact for 180 days (may be cleared by ophthalmologist early for retina)

Chris Camozzi -- suspended 60 days, with no contact for 60 days (may be cleared early by physician for left brow laceration)

Dongi Yang -- suspended 45 days, with no contact for 30 days

Gilbert Yvel – suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days