‘Stylebender’ Facing Six-Month Suspension

UFC 259 injuries and medical suspensions were submitted to MixedMartialArts.com earlier this week for those athletes competing at the “Blachowicz vs. Adesanya” pay-per-view (PPV) event last weekend (March 6, 2021) inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas.

Not surprisingly, a fair share of combatants were handed mandatory timeouts, including light heavyweight headliner Israel Adesanya. “The Last Stylebender” could be looking at a potential six-month suspension for injuries suffered in his loss to Jan Blachowicz.

Joining Adesanya in the six-month club is featherweight bruiser Megan Anderson, who was trounced by reigning 145-pound champion Amanda Nunes. In addition, Aljamain Sterling could find himself in a three-month vacation after eating Petr Yan’s knee of doom.

The full list of UFC 259 medical suspensions (courtesy of MMA Junkie) includes:

Jan Blachowicz: Suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact.
Israel Adesanya: Needs X-ray of left foot and ankle, and clearance by doctor, otherwise suspended 180 days; minimum suspension is 45 days with 30 days no contact.
Megan Anderson: Needs MRI of right elbow and X-ray of nose, doctor clearance, otherwise suspended 180 days; minimum suspension is 30 days with 21 days no contact.
Aljamain Sterling: Suspended 60 days with 45 days no contact.
Thiago Santos: Suspended 21 days with 14 days no contact.
Aleksandar Rakic: Needs X-ray of right ankle, and clearance by doctor, otherwise suspended 180 days; minimum suspension is 30 days with 21 days no contact.
Dominick Cruz: Suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact due to facial lacerations.
Casey Kenney: Suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact due to tooth chip.
Song Yadong: Suspended 21 days with 14 days no contact.
Kyler Phillips: Suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact due to sutures above left eyebrow and right eyelid.
Joseph Benavidez: Suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact due to cut under left eye.
Rogerio Bontorin: Suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact.
Tim Elliott: Suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact due to cut on top of head.
Jordan Espinosa: Needs X-ray of right hand, doctor clearance, otherwise suspended 180 days; minimum suspension is 30 days with 21 days no contact.
Kennedy Nzechukwu: Suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact due to right eye contusion.
Carlos Ulberg: Suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact due to sutures in right orbital.
Jake Matthews: Suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact.
Livia Renata Souza: Suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact.
Aalon Cruz: Suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact.
Mario Bautista: Suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact.

The following fighters escaped “Sin City” with no medical suspension:

Amanda Nunes
Petr Yan
Islam Makachev
Drew Dober
Amanda Lemos
Uros Medic
Sean Brady
Trevin Jones
Kai Kara-France
Askar Askarov

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 259 results and play-by-play click here.