Safe to say it was not a good sign to watch Jon Jones and Thiago Santos leave T-Mobile Arena in a pair of wheelchairs, but that’s the risk you run as a promoter when championship bouts play out over five grueling rounds.
Both “Bones” and “Marreta” could be on the sidelines until 2020, depending on the severity of the foot and knee injuries they suffered in the UFC 239 pay-per-view (PPV) headliner last Sat. night (July 6, 2019) in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Things are looking equally bleak for former middleweight champion, Luke Rockhold, after getting jaw-jacked by Jan Blachowicz on the UFC 239 main card. Likewise for Michael Chiesa, who won his Diego Sanchez fight, but may have paid a lengthy price for his victory.
Ben Askren, by comparison, only drew a 60-day timeout, despite this record-setting knockout from welterweight rival, Jorge Masvidal.
Here are the complete UFC 239 injuries and medical suspensions, courtesy of Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC):
Jon Jones: Minimum suspension of 45 days. Must have left foot x-rayed, if positive must have doctor clearance or no contest until January 3, 2020. No contact until August 6, 2019.
Thiago Santos: Minimum suspension of 60 days. Must have left hand and left knee x-rayed, if positive must have doctor clearance or no contest until January 3, 2020. No contact until July 28, 2019.
Holly Holm: Suspended 60 days, no contact for 45 days.
Ben Askren: Suspended 60 days, no contact for 45 days.
Luke Rockhold: Minimum suspension of 60 days, no contact for 45 days. Must have oral and maxillofacial surgery doctor clearance for left jaw fracture or not contest until January 3. 2020. No contact until August 21, 2019.
Michael Chiesa: Must have left hand x-rayed. If positive needs doctor clearance or no contest until January 3, 2020.
Diego Sanchez: Suspended for 30 days. No contact until July 28, 2019.
Gilbert Melendez: Suspended for 45 days, no contact for 30 days.
Marlon Vera: Suspended for 30 days, no contact until July 28, 2019.
Claudia Gadelha: Must have right hand x-rayed, if positive must have doctor clearance or no contest until January 3, 2020.
Randa Markos: Must have left hand x-rayed, if positive must have doctor clearance until January 3, 2020.
Song Yadong: Minimum suspension of 30 days. Must have right foot x-rayed and MRI of left knee, if positive need doctor clearance or no contest until January 3, 2020. No contact until July 28, 2019.
Alejandro Perez: Suspended 60 days, no contact until August 21, 2019.
Jack Marshman: Suspended 14 days, no contact 14 days.
Julia Avila: Suspended 45 days, no contact for 30 days for cut above right eye.
Pannie Kianzad: Suspended for 60 days, no contact until August 21, 2019.
Just a quick reminder: Fighters often return to action much quicker once doctors give them the green light. The lengthy suspensions are just a precaution in most cases. In addition, not all injuries are recorded during the post-fight examination and often times surface in follow-up tests.
For complete UFC 239 results, including play-by-play, click here.