Conor McGregor may have only been inside the Octagon for 13 seconds at UFC 194, but it’s been revealed the new UFC featherweight champion could potentially be facing a six-month layoff following his knockout win over Jose Aldo.
That’s after the UFC released its standard list of injury suspensions, noting McGregor requires an X-ray on his left wrist after his left hook downed the Brazilian. Here’s a look at the index of injury concerns in full, per Shaun Al-Shatti of MMA Fighting:
It means should an X-ray reveal any substantial damage to the Irishman’s wrist, he could be forced into a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Here’s a reminder of the spectacular finish from Saturday night’s bout, per BT Sport:
Remarkably, despite being on the end of such a heavy blow, Aldo’s own layoff is potentially not as long as McGregor’s, with the UFC revealing he will not be allowed contact until Jan. 27 and not permitted to fight again until after Feb. 11.
Aside from the showpiece’s main event, there are some other potentially significant suspensions, with both Luke Rockhold and Chris Weidman also facing up to the prospect of some time away from the Octagon.
Rockhold got the better of the previously undefeated Weidman in a brutal battle on Saturday evening to clinch the UFC middleweight title. The new champion needs an X-ray of his left foot to be cleared before he can return to action, while Weidman requires both of his feet to be checked; should anything severe show, they could both be out of action until June.
As we can see here via his official Instagram account, although he was badly beaten up during the loss to Rockhold, the former champion remains determined to bounce back:
Other notable names who could also sit out much of 2016 are Ronaldo Souza, who lost to Yoel Romero in a gripping middleweight tussle, and Urijah Faber, who beat Frankie Saenz. Tecia Torres, Colby Covington, Yancy Medeiros and John Makdessi are also facing the prospect of six-month suspensions.
McGregor will be hoping the X-ray doesn’t show any major flare-ups, with opportunities aplenty likely to come his way. As the Irishman’s coach, John Kavanagh, told Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour (h/t Marc Raimondi of MMA Fighting), the new champion is keen to get back in the Octagon as soon as possible, with bouts at lightweight and against the impressive Frankie Edgar suggested.
Typically, fighters will return much earlier than the initially suggested suspension and, after his stunning performance at UFC 194, McGregor will be keen to prosper in 2016. It’s a year which certainly promises plenty for the Irishman after this momentous triumph.
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