Junior dos Santos and Joe Lauzon may have taken the worst beatings at UFC 155, but their medical suspensions paled in comparison to other competitors who suffered more serious, though less visible, injuries.
Included below are some of the most notable events from the past holiday weekend as we ready for MMA to resume action in 2013.
Three Biggest Stories
UFC 155 Medical Suspensions Released—Tim Boetsch, Alan Belcher, Michael Johnson and Todd Duffee could be out of action for six months unless they have their various injuries cleared by a doctor beforehand (via MMAJunkie.com).
Here is the entire list of suspensions:
- Cain Velasquez—Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days.
- Junior dos Santos—Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days.
- Joe Lauzon—Suspended 60 days with no contact for 45 days for facial and forehead lacerations.
- Tim Boetsch—Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days. Also suspended 180 days unless nasal fractures are cleared by ENT doctor.
- Alan Belcher—Suspended 60 days with no contact. Also suspended 180 days unless right jaw and right knee are cleared by doctors.
- Eddie Wineland—Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days for lacerations.
- Brad Pickett—Suspended 21 days with no contact for 14 days.
- Byron Bloodworth—Suspended 60 days with no contact for 45 days for a scalp laceration.
- Jamie Varner—Suspended 60 days with no contact for 45 days.
- Melvin Guillard—Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days for a right-shin laceration.
- Michael Johnson—Suspended 21 days with no contact for 14 days for a right-ear laceration. Also suspended 180 days unless right hand is cleared by doctor.
- Todd Duffee—Suspended 60 days with no contact for 45 days for a right-forehead laceration. Also suspended 180 days unless left knee is cleared by doctor.
- Philip De Fries—Suspended 21 days with no contact for 14 days.
- Leonard Garcia—Suspended 21 days with no contact for 14 days.
Bellator Sets Light Heavyweight Tournament Bracket—Bellator has released a bracket for its upcoming light heavyweight tournament to be aired on Spike TV (via Bellator.com).
Dan Severn Officially Retires—Inactive for the past eight months, UFC Hall of Fame member Dan Severn has finally decided to end his MMA career (via DanSevern.com). The 54-year-old finished with two UFC tournament titles, a UFC superfight championship and 101 total wins.
Fights Booked
None
Video of the Day
Watch Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos make their final preparations in a backstage video from UFC 155.
Tweet of the Day
Chael Sonnen isn’t the only fighter taking shots at UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones. Light heavyweight title contender Dan Henderson also ripped his previously scheduled opponent in the closing moments of 2012.
“Wishin everyone a Happy New year! Be safe! No drinking and driving and hitting telephone poles.” – Dan Henderson
Comment of the Day
“This is why Fedor Emelianenko remains the greatest HW of all time: Everyone else loses the title shortly after claiming it. Fedor is the only champion to hold a major title and retain it for a long long time. Three years as champ, three title defenses and 28 consecutive wins. Was never dethroned as Pride FC champ. That is where the bar is set currently.
It’s not like nobody can do it better. It certainly is possible for somebody to surpass Fedor. It just hasn’t happened yet.
The UFC Heavyweight strap is cursed. It’s a never-ending game of hot potato with that title. I thought JDS might be the guy to break the trend. Now we’ll see if Cain can do it.” – Kevin Sampson on UFC 155: Will the UFC Heavyweight Division Ever Have a Dominant Champion?
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