UFC on Fox 28 Medical Suspensions: Josh Emmett, Ben Saunders Face Potential 180-Day Bans

Unsurprisingly, after his nasty second-round knockout loss to Jeremy Stephens, Ultimate Fighting Championship featherweight Josh Emmett is facing a potentially lengthy sit on the sidelines.

On Friday, the Florida State Boxing Commission released its list of 14 fighters facing medical suspensions following UFC on Fox 28, which took place last Saturday night at the Amway Center in Orlando. The 32-year-old Emmett was at the forefront of the list, facing a potential 180 days on the shelf unless otherwise cleared by a physician.

The Team Alpha Male product enjoyed a successful first round in his clash against Stephens, even dropping “Lil Heathen” late in the frame on a short right hand. However, disaster - - and controversy - - struck in the second stanza when Stephens levelled Emmett with a left hand and opened up with a torrent of elbows. As Emmett tried to scramble back to his feet, it looked as if Stephens may have landed an illegal knee which went unnoticed by referee Dan Miragliotta, and while replays subsequently showed the strike missed the head of the downed Emmett, the sequence sparked immediate debate.

Veteran Ben Saunders, who also suffered a potent, second-round knockout loss at the hands of of Alan Jouban, also received a similar 180-day suspension with a mandatory minimum freeze-out of 60 days. Maryna Moroz and Alex Perez were also given 180-day potential pauses, but with minimum suspensions of 30 days unless cleared by a doctor.

Florida’s commission does not release the specifics of fighters’ injuries in their post-fight medical reports.

UFC on Fox 28 Medical Suspensions



Renan Barao: 30-day suspension

Russell Doane: 30-day suspension

Josh Emmett: 180-day suspension or must seek doctor’s clearance

Alan Jouban: 30-day suspension

Brian Kelleher: 30-day suspension

Sara McMann: 30-day suspension

Maryna Moroz: 180-day suspension or must seek doctor’s clearance; minimum suspension 30 days

Alex Perez: 180-day suspension; minimum suspension 30 days

Mike Perry: 45-day suspension

Marcin Prachnio: 30-day suspension

Marion Reneau: 30-day suspension

Ovince St. Preux: 30-day suspension

Ben Saunders: 180-day suspension or must seek doctor’s clearance; minimum suspension 60 days

Tecia Torres: 30-day suspension