Conor McGregor Facing Medical Suspension Pending Wrist X-Ray After UFC 194
Conor McGregor may have only been inside the Octagon for 13 seconds at UFC 194, but it’s been revealed the new UFC featherweight champion could potentially be facing a six-month layoff following his knockout win over Jose Aldo.
That’s after the Nevada Athletic Commission released its standard list of injury suspensions, noting McGregor requires an X-ray on his left wrist after his left hook downed the Brazilian. Here’s a look at the index of injury concerns in full, per Shaun Al-Shatti of MMA Fighting:
| Conor McGregor | Requires X-ray of left wrist, if positive then must be cleared by doctor or no contest until June 12 |
| Luke Rockhold | Requires X-ray of left foot/ankle, if positive then must be cleared by doctor or no contest until June 12; minimum no contest until Jan. 12, no contact until Jan. 3 |
| Chris Weidman | Requires X-rays of both feet, if positive then must be cleared by doctor or no contest until June 12; minimum no contest until Feb. 11, no contact until Jan. 27 |
| Ronaldo Souza | Requires X-ray of left forearm, if positive then must be cleared by doctor or no contest until June 12; minimum no contest until Jan. 12, no contact until Jan. 3 |
| Urijah Faber | Requires MRI of left knee, X-rays of right ankle and left thumb, if positive then must be cleared by doctor or no contest until June. 12; minimum no contest until Jan. 27, no contact until Jan. 12 |
| Tecia Torres | Requires X-ray of left thumb, if positive then must be cleared by doctor or no contest until June 12; minimum no contest until Jan. 12, no contact until Jan. 3 |
| Colby Covington | Requires CT Scan or MRI of right chest wall, if positive then must be cleared by doctor or no contest until June 12; minimum no contest until Jan. 12, no contact until Jan. 3 |
| Yancy Medeiros | Requires right knee sprain to be cleared by orthopedic doctor or no contest until June 12; minimum no contest until Jan. 12, no contact until Jan. 3 due to left toe pain |
| John Makdessi | Requires X-ray of right thumb, if positive then must be cleared by doctor or no contest until June 12 |
| Jose Aldo | Suspended until Feb. 11, no contact until Jan. 27 |
| Gunnar Nelson | Suspended until Jan. 27, no contact until Jan. 12 due to nasal bridge laceration |
| Frankie Saenz | Suspended until Jan. 27, no contact until Jan. 12 |
| Jocelyn Lybarger-Jones | Suspended until Jan. 27, no contact until Jan. 12 |
| Kevin Lee | Suspended until Jan. 27, no contact until Jan. 12 |
| Yoel Romero | Suspended until Jan. 12, no contact until Jan. 3 |
| Jeremy Stephens | Suspended until Jan. 12, no contact until Jan. 3 |
| Joe Proctor | Suspended until Jan. 12, no contact until Jan. 3 |
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It means should an X-ray reveal any substantial damage to the Irishman’s wrist, he could be forced into a lengthy spell on the sideline.
Here’s a reminder of the spectacular finish from Saturday night's bout, per BT Sport:
Remarkably, despite being on the end of such a heavy blow, Aldo’s own layoff is potentially not as long as McGregor’s, with the UFC revealing he will not be allowed contact until Jan. 27 and not permitted to fight again until after Feb. 11.
Aside from the showpiece’s main event, there are some other potentially significant suspensions, with both Luke Rockhold and Chris Weidman also facing up to the prospect of some time away from the Octagon.
Rockhold got the better of the previously undefeated Weidman in a brutal battle on Saturday evening to clinch the UFC middleweight title. The new champion needs an X-ray of his left foot to be cleared before he can return to action, while Weidman requires both of his feet to be checked; should anything severe show, they could both be out of action until June.
As we can see here via his official Instagram account, although he was badly beaten up during the loss to Rockhold, the former champion remains determined to bounce back:
"I will remember this moment for ever. It has already changed me for the better. The motivation I have inside myself has never been stronger. I did not feel like myself in there for many reasons but it was a loss that I needed and deserved. I have been playing back different moments in the fight where i didn't do or react the way I should have but this was all part of a true master plan that God has in store for me. I will be back and I will be champion again. I just wanna let everyone know that I am ok. I am so blessed with an amazing family, friends, team and fans. Thank you all so much for the support. It means more now than ever.
"
Other notable names who could also sit out much of 2016 are Ronaldo Souza, who lost to Yoel Romero in a gripping middleweight tussle, and Urijah Faber, who beat Frankie Saenz. Tecia Torres, Colby Covington, Yancy Medeiros and John Makdessi are also facing the prospect of six-month suspensions.
McGregor will be hoping the X-ray doesn’t show any major flare-ups, with opportunities aplenty likely to come his way. As the Irishman’s coach, John Kavanagh, told Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour (h/t Marc Raimondi of MMA Fighting), the new champion is keen to get back in the Octagon as soon as possible, with bouts at lightweight and against the impressive Frankie Edgar suggested.
Typically, fighters will return much earlier than the initially suggested suspension, and after his stunning performance at UFC 194, McGregor will be keen to prosper in 2016. It’s a year that certainly promises plenty for the Irishman after this momentous triumph.
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