UFC Fight Night Medical Suspensions: Seven Fighters Facing Potential 6-Month Layoffs

Six fighters from last Saturday’s UFC Fight Night could be sidelined for up to six months, including main-event winner Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson.

The Nevada Athletic Commission on Monday released its list of medical suspensions from the Feb. 6 event, which took place at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Thompson suffered a right ankle injury during his first-round stoppage of Johny Hendricks and could be seen limping inside the cage after the bout. The 32-year-old will need to have the ankle X-rayed and cleared by an orthopedic doctor, or else risk sitting out until Aug. 7. Hendricks, who was felled by punches from Thompson late in the opening round, will only have to sit out for one month.

Two men in the same situation as Thompson are light heavyweight Ovince St. Preux and heavyweight Jared Rosholt, both of whom came out of the event with ankle injuries.

Other fighters requiring clearance for potentially serious injuries are Rafael Cavalcante (right eye), Joshua Burkman (right shoulder), Alex Nicholson (jaw, nose) and Diego Rivas (knees).

UFC Fight Night ‘Hendricks vs. Thompson’ Medical Suspensions

Stephen Thompson: Must have right ankle X-rayed and, if positive, cleared by orthopedic doctor, or no contest until Aug. 7. Minimum suspension no contest until March 8; no contact until Feb. 28.

Johny Hendricks: Suspended until March 8; no contact until Feb. 28.

Roy Nelson: Suspended until March 8; no contact until Feb. 28.

Jared Rosholt: Must have left ankle X-rayed and, if positive, cleared by orthopedic doctor, or no contest until Aug. 7. Minimum suspension no contest until March 8; no contact until Feb. 28.

Ovince St. Preux: Must have right ankle X-rayed and, if positive, cleared by orthopedic doctor, or no contest until Aug. 7. Minimum suspension no contest until March 8; no contact until Feb. 28.

Rafael Cavalcante: Must have right eye cleared by ophthalmologist, or no contest until Aug. 7. Minimum suspension no contest until March 23; no contact until March 8.

Joseph Benavidez: Suspended until March 23; no contact until March 8 (left eyebrow laceration).

Alex Nicholson: Must have bilateral jaw fractures and broken nose an oral, maxillofacial doctor, or no contest until Aug. 7. Minimum suspension no contest until March 23; no contact until March 8.

Sean Spencer: Suspended until March 23; no contact until March 8.

Joshua Burkman: Must have MRI on right shoulder and clearance by orthopedic doctor, or no contest until Aug. 7. Minimum suspension no contest until Feb. 28; no contact until Feb. 21.

K.J. Noons: Suspended until March 23; no contact until March 8 (finger laceration).

Damian Grabowski: Suspended until March 23; no contact until March 8 (scalp laceration).

Ray Borg: Suspended until March 8; no contact until Feb. 28 (tough fight).

Diego Rivas: Must have both knees cleared by an orthopedic doctor, or no contest until Aug. 7.

Noad Lahat: Suspended until April 7; no contact until March 23.

Artem Lobov: Suspended until March 8; no contact until Feb. 28 (eyelid laceration).

Editor’s Note: This item was updated Feb. 8 at 4:35 p.m. PT to correct the length of Alex Nicholson’s suspension. The Nevada Athletic Commission initially listed Nicholson as potentially suspended until May 8; the correct date is Aug. 7.