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Unlike most athletic commissions, Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation doesn’t issue blanket medical suspensions across the board, so only seven mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters from last weekend’s event will be getting some time off.
Including Joseph Benavidez.
“Joe Jitsu” was slapped with a 90-day medical timeout after getting stopped by Deiveson Figueiredo in the UFC Fight Night 169 main event, which took place last Sat. (Feb. 29, 2020) from inside Chartway Arena in Norfolk, Virginia.
That’s not all.
Complete UFC Norfolk medical suspension, courtesy of MMA Fighting, below:
Joseph Benavidez: suspended for 90 days with 90 days no contact, needs suture for laceration.
Zarah Fairn dos Santos: suspended for 60 days, needs to submit X-ray for left orbital socket to be reinstated.
Ion Cutelaba: suspended for 30 days.
Norma Dumont Viana: suspended for 60 days.
Tom Breese: suspended for 30 days.
T.J. Brown: suspended for 30 days.
Aalon Cruz: suspended for 30 days.
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 Norfolk results and fight coverage click here.