Unsurprisingly, former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva headlined a list of 11 fighters to receive extended medical suspensions following UFC 168, according to information released to MMAFighting.com by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
Silva, who suffered a grisly broken right leg when Chris Weidman checked a low kick midway through the bout’s second round, underwent emergency surgery Saturday night and will now require orthopedic clearance before being allowed back into competition, or otherwise serve a minimum six-month medical suspension. According to UFC officials, a “three to six month” recovery period is expected if Silva, 38, elects to continue his fighting career.
Along with Silva, four other UFC 168 fighters — Josh Barnett, Dustin Poirier, Manny Gamburyan and William Patolino — received potentially lengthy medical suspensions following Saturday night’s event, which took place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV.
Likewise, six fighters were handed brief medical suspensions, including main card loser Diego Brandao. He, along with Chris Leben, Gleison Tibau, Dennis Siver, Bobby Voelker and Estevan Payan, will be sidelined until mid-February 2014 due to minor injuries suffered during the event.
A complete list of UFC 168’s medical suspensions can be seen below.
- Anderson Silva: Requires orthopedic clearance on right broken leg, or no contest until 06/27/14
- Josh Barnett: Requires right maxillofacial fracture cleared by oral maxilla facial surgeon or plastic surgeon, or no contest until 06/27/14; minimum suspension until 02/26/14
- Dustin Poirier: Requires right shoulder cleared by an orthopedic physician or no contest until 06/27/14; minimum suspension until 01/27/14, no contact until 01/18/14
- Manny Gamburyan: Requires MRI of left knee; if positive then requires orthopedic clearance or no contest until 06/28/14; minimum suspension until 02/11/14, no contact until 01/27/14
- William Patolino: Requires x-ray of right hand; if positive then requires orthopedic clearance or no contest until 06/28/14
- Diego Brandao: Suspended until 02/11/14; no contact until 01/27/14
- Chris Leben: Suspended until 02/11/14; no contact until 01/27/14 due to facial lacerations
- Gleison Tibau: Suspended until 02/11/14; no contact until 01/27/14 due to laceration on his right cheek
- Dennis Siver: Suspended until 02/11/14; no contact until 01/27/14 due to scalp laceration
- Bobby Voelker: Suspended until 02/11/14; no contact until 01/27/14 due to facial and scalp lacerations
- Estevan Payan: Suspended until 02/11/14; no contact until 01/27/14