UFC 213 Medical Suspensions: Robert Whittaker Facing 6-Month Layoff for Knee Injury

Robert Whittaker wasn’t 100 percent for most of his UFC 213 clash with Yoel Romero.

While that didn’t prevent him from claiming the interim middleweight championship at the T-Mobile Arena this past Saturday, it could keep him sidelined for a significant period of time. Whittaker must have an MRI on his left knee as well as clearance from an orthopedic doctor or he will be out until Jan. 4. At a minimum, “The Reaper” is suspended until Aug. 8 with no contact until July 30. The Nevada Athletic Commission released medical suspensions from UFC 213 on Thursday.

Whittaker won a unanimous decision over Yoel Romero in the headliner, but a low kick from “The Soldier of God” in the first round reaggravated an old injury and hindered the Australian for the rest of the contest. Whittaker is expected to face reigning 185-pound king Michael Bisping when healthy. Romero, meanwhile, must have left eyebrow and right scalp lacerations cleared by a doctor or he can’t compete until Aug. 23.

Three other fighters from UFC 213 are facing possible six-month suspensions: Curtis Blaydes (tibia/fibula, rib), Anthony Pettis (right hand) and Travis Browne (left foot).

UFC 213 Medical Suspensions:

Robert Whittaker: Requires MRI of left knee, if positive then must have clearance by orthopedic doctor or no contest until Jan. 4; minimum suspension until Aug. 8, no contact until July 30

Curtis Blaydes: Requires right tibia/fibula and left chest rib series x-rayed, if positive then must be cleared by doctor or no contest until Jan. 4; minimum suspension until Aug. 8, no contest until July 30

Anthony Pettis: Requires right hand x-rayed, if positive then must have orthopedic clearance or no contest until Jan. 4; minimum suspension until Aug. 23, no contact until Aug. 8

Travis Browne: Requires left foot x-rayed, if positive then must have orthopedic clearance or no contest until Jan. 4; minimum suspension until Aug. 23, no contact until Aug. 8

James Bochnovic: Suspended until Sept. 7, no contact until Aug. 23

Yoel Romero: Requires left eyebrow and right scalp lacerations cleared by doctor or no contest until Aug. 23, no contact until Aug. 8

Fabricio Werdum: Suspended until Aug. 23, no contact until Aug. 8

Jim Miller: Suspended until Aug. 23, no contact until Aug. 8

Brian Camozzi: Suspend until Aug. 23, no contact until Aug. 8

Thiago Santos: Requires laceration above right eye cleared by doctor or no contest until Aug. 23, no contact until Aug. 8

Jordan Mein: Requires laceration above left eye cleared by doctor or no contest until Aug. 23, no contact until Aug. 8

Daniel Omielanczuk: Suspended until Aug. 8, no contact until July 30

Alexey Oleynik: Suspended until Aug. 8, no contact until July 30

Gerald Meerschaert: Suspended until Aug. 8, no contact until July 30

Belal Muhammad: Suspended until Aug. 8, no contact until July 30

Douglas Silva de Andrade: Suspended until Aug. 8, no contact until July 30