UFC 259 medicals: Adesanya, three others possibly out six months

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Israel Adesanya has to get his left leg checked out before he’ll be allowed to return to the Octagon. The potential injuries coming out of UFC 259 don’t look too bad on the surface. Only fo…


UFC 259: Blachowicz v Adesanya
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Israel Adesanya has to get his left leg checked out before he’ll be allowed to return to the Octagon.

The potential injuries coming out of UFC 259 don’t look too bad on the surface. Only four fighters, including middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, were handed potential six-month medical suspensions unless they’re cleared by a doctor. Adesanya’s issue is with his foot or ankle, and is probably not serious since it hasn’t come up in conversation until now.

Others issued possible long suspensions include Megan Anderson, who lost her title bid to Amanda Nunes; and Aleksandar Rakic, who defeated Thiago Santos on the main card.

Somewhat surprisingly, Aljamain Sterling was only issued a 60-day suspension despite the brutal illegal knee he took from Petr Yan.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission has released the full list of suspensions, and here there are (via MMA Fighting):

Jan Blachowicz: Suspended until April 6, no contact until March 28

Israel Adesanya: Must receive clearance from orthopedic doctor on positive result from X-ray on left foot and/or ankle or no contest until Sept. 3; minimum suspension no contest until April 21, no contact until April 6

Megan Anderson: Must receive clearance from orthopedic doctor on positive result from MRI on right elbow, also requires nasal X-ray and clearance from doctor or no contest until Sept. 3; minimum suspension no contest until April 21, no contact until April 6

Aljamain Sterling: Suspended until May 6, no contact until April 21

Aleksandar Rakic: Must receive clearance from orthopedic doctor on positive result from X-ray on right ankle or no contest until Sept. 3; minimum suspension no contest until April 6, no contact until March 28

Thiago Santos: Suspended until March 28, no contact until March 21

Dominick Cruz: Suspended until April 6, no contact until March 28 (face lacerations)

Casey Kenney: Suspended until April 6, no contact until March 28 (chipped tooth)

Kyler Phillips: Suspended until April 6, no contact until March 28 (sutures above left eyebrow and right eyelid)

Song Yadong: Suspended until March 28, no contact until March 21

Joseph Benavidez: Suspended until April 21, no contact until April 6 (cut under left eye)

Rogerio Bontorin: Suspended until April 21, no contact until April 6

Tim Elliott: Suspended until April 6, no contact until March 28 (cut on top of head)

Jordan Espinosa: Must receive clearance from orthopedic doctor on positive result from X-ray on right hand or no contest until Sept. 3; minimum suspension no contest until April 6, no contact until March 28

Kennedy Nzechukwu: Suspended until April 6, no contact until March 28 (right eye contusion)

Carlos Ulberg: Suspended until April 21, no contact until April 6 (right orbital sutures)

Jake Matthews: Suspended until April 6, no contact until March 28

Livinha Souza: Suspended until April 21, no contact until April 6

Aalon Cruz: Suspended until April 21, no contact until April 6