Belal Muhammad could be back in action in as little as three weeks.
The welterweight bruiser suffered a brutal, fight-ending eye poke in the UFC Vegas 21 main event last weekend in “Sin City” (see it here), but if “Remember the Name” can get cleared by an ophthalmologist, then matchmakers can start working on his next fight.
Which may (or may not) be against Leon Edwards.
The full list of UFC Vegas 21 medical suspensions (courtesy of MMA Junkie) includes:
Belal Muhammad: Must have right eye cleared by an ophthalmologist, otherwise suspended 30 days; minimum suspension is 21 days.
Misha Cirkunov: Suspended 60 days with 45 days no contact.
Gavin Tucker: Suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact.
Jonathan Martinez: Suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact.
Davey Grant: Suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact.
Manel Kape: Suspended 21 days with 14 days no contact.
Darren Stewart: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days.
Angela Hill: Must have left eye cleared by an ophthalmologist, otherwise suspended 30 days.
Ashley Yoder: Suspended 180 days or until right ear is cleared by ENT.
Marcelo Rojo: Must have maxillofacial bones fractures cleared by maxillofacial surgeon and left lamina papyracea cleared by an ophthalmologist, otherwise suspended 180 days.
Charles Jourdain: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to left scalp laceration.
Ray Rodriguez: Suspended 21 days with no contact for 14 days.
Nasrat Haqparast: Suspended 180 days or until left fibula X-ray is cleared by orthopedic doctor; also suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days.
Rafa Garcia: Suspended 180 days or until right elbow X-ray is cleared by orthopedic doctor; also suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days.
Cortney Casey: Suspended 180 days or until right foot and right hand X-rays are cleared by orthopedic doctor; also suspended 21 days with no contact for 14 days.
Jinh Yu Frey: Suspended 21 days with no contact for 14 days.
Jason Witt: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days.
The following athletes escaped UFC Vegas 21 without suspension:
Leon Edwards
Ryan Spann
Dan Ige
Matheus Nicolau
Eryk Anders
Rani Yahya
J.J. Aldrich
Gloria de Paula
Matthew Semelsberger
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 Vegas 21 results and play-by-play click here.