A Fight of the Night performance and a win over Demian Maia could leave Rory MacDonald sidelined for up to six months, according to the UFC 170 medical suspensions released by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
MMAFighting.com reported the news on Monday.
The welterweight star will need an X-ray on his right ankle as well as clearance from his doctor to step back into the Octagon, or he’ll be looking at a mandatory suspension extending until August 22.
Coming off a loss to Robbie Lawler, MacDonald kept himself afloat in the welterweight title picture by outlasting Maia in a relatively close decision on Saturday night.
The division is wide open with former UFC champ Georges St-Pierre, MacDonald’s mentor and close friend, on an indefinite vacation. An injury would be a tough setback for the 24-year-old contender, who has been chomping at the bit for a chance at UFC gold.
Other potentially serious injuries on the list include main card fighters Stephen Thompson and Robert Whitaker, as well as Raphael Assuncao and Cody Gibson. Like MacDonald, all four will need to be cleared by a doctor or risk facing a six-month suspension.
The other fighters on the list received precautionary suspensions.
Main event star Sara McMann was included on this list after suffering a first-round TKO loss to women’s bantamweight champ Ronda Rousey. UFC newcomer Patrick Cummins’ name was also on the list after getting trounced just 89 seconds into the first round by Daniel Cormier.
The complete list of UFC 170 medical suspensions are listed below.
Rory MacDonald: Requires X-ray on right ankle and physician’s clearance, or no contest until 08/22/14; minimum suspension until 03/25/14, no contact until 03/16/14
Stephen Thompson: Requires X-ray on right hand and physician’s clearance, or no contest until 08/22/14; minimum suspension until 03/25/14, no contact until 03/16/14
Robert Whittaker: Requires physician’s clearance on left forearm, or no contest until 08/22/14; minimum suspension until 03/25/14, no contact until 03/16/14
Raphael Assuncao: Requires X-ray on left ribs and physician’s clearance, or no contest until 08/22/14; minimum suspension until 03/25/14, no contact until 03/16/14
Cody Gibson: Requires X-ray on right hand and orthopedic clearance, or no contest until 08/22/14
Patrick Cummins: Suspended until 04/09/14; no contact until 03/25/14
Demian Maia: Suspended until 04/09/14; no contact until 03/25/14
TJ Waldburger: Suspended until 04/09/14; no contact until 03/25/14
Rafaello Oliveira: Suspended until 04/09/14; no contact until 03/25/14 due to contusion under right eye
Sara McMann: Suspended until 03/25/14; no contact until 03/16/14
Pedro Munhoz: Suspended until 03/25/14; no contact until 03/16/14
Aljamain Sterling: Requires follow-up MRI of head with gradient echo or susceptibility weighted imaging within one week post-fight, or before 03/01/14
Jordy McElroy is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. He is also the MMA writer for Rocktagon.
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