UFC interim light heavyweight champion Jon Jones is facing a potential six-month medical suspension, pending the x-ray results for his left foot.
With Jon Jones getting the win against Ovince Saint Preux in the UFC 197 main event, the presumptive favorite to replace Nate Diaz vs. Conor McGregor 2 at UFC 200 is Daniel Cormier vs. Jon Jones 2. This assumes that both men are medically cleared to compete and that the UFC will proceed with booking that fight for July 9th.
Cormier’s MRI on his injured leg was rescheduled for next week, but he is otherwise confident that he’ll be medically cleared to return to competition. As for Jones, who was limping post-fight and was seen in a wheelchair backstage, he could be shelved for a significant period of time. His left foot requires an x-ray (per the Nevada Athletic Commission), and if it’s negative, then we’re all fine and dandy. If it’s positive, then Jones will need an orthopedic doctor’s clearance, and he could be out for at least 6 months.
Ovince Saint Preux is also facing a potential 6 month suspension due to his broken left ulna, an injury which Dana White confirmed during Saturday’s post-fight press conference. Unlike Jones, he’s been given orders of no contact for a month, plus a no contest suspension until June 8th.
Back to Jones, before you freak out, he did tweet this on Tuesday night.
Nope! I haven’t gotten an x-ray but I’m already up and walking around. It’ll be fine https://t.co/phqdQMhdYg
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) April 27, 2016
Here are the full UFC 197 medical suspensions and terms (via MMA Fighting):
- Jon Jones: Must have left foot x-rayed, if positive then requires clearance by an orthopedic doctor or no contest until 10/21
- Ovince Saint Preux: Must have broken left ulna cleared by an orthopedic doctor or no contest until 10/21; minimum suspension no contest until 06/08, no contact until 05/24
- Rafael Natal: Must have nasal fracture cleared by doctor or no contest until 10/21; minimum suspension no contest until 06/08, no contact until 05/24
- Robert Whittaker: Must have right hand x-rayed, if positive then requires clearance by an orthopedic doctor or no contest until 10/21; minimum suspension no contest until 05/24, no contact until 05/15
- Andre Fili: Must have left inferior orbital wall fracture cleared by oral, maxillofacial surgeon or ophthalmologist or no contest until 10/21; minimum suspension no contest until 06/08, no contact until 05/24
- Sergio Pettis: Must have right hand x-rayed, if positive then requires clearance by an orthopedic doctor or no contest until 10/21
- Danny Roberts: Must have left foot cleared by orthopedic doctor or no contest until 10/21; minimum suspension no contest until 06/08, no contact until 05/24
- Glaico Franca: Must have ophthalmological exam; must also have nasal fracture cleared by doctor or no contest until 10/21; minimum suspension no contest until 06/23, no contact until 06/08
- Cody East: Must have nasal fracture cleared by ENT doctor or no contest until 10/21; minimum suspension no contest until 06/08, no contact until 05/24
- Walt Harris: Must have right hand x-rayed, if positive then requires clearance by an orthopedic doctor or no contest until 10/21; minimum suspension no contest until 05/24, no contact until 05/15
- Henry Cejudo: Suspended until 06/08, no contact until 05/24
- Clint Hester: Suspended until 06/08, no contact until 05/24
- Anthony Pettis: Suspended until 05/24, no contact until 05/15 due to right eyebrow cut
- Chris Kelades: Suspended until 05/24, no contact until 05/15 due to facial abrasions
- Juliana Lima: Suspended until 05/24, no contact until 05/15
- Dominique Steele: Needs yearly eye examination to follow possibility of glaucoma, due 03/22/17