Broken Orbital Benches Brian Ortega

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is just a couple of days removed from its UFC 266 pay-per-view (PPV) event, which produced successful title defenses from Alexander Volkanovski (featherweight) and Valentina Shevchenko (flyweight), as well as Robbie Lawler’s middleweight revenge against longtime rival Nick Diaz.

But when people fight, people get hurt.

That’s why Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) recently handed down a list of injuries and medical suspensions. Two-time featherweight title contender Brian Ortega, who came up short against “The Great” champion on Sept. 25 in Las Vegas, suffered a broken orbital and is likely out of action for the next six months (or longer).

“Fractured orbital and some bruised ribs, once this orbital heals I’ll be ready to chuck ‘em again,” Ortega wrote on social media. “I meant what I said, I love you guys!”

The full list of UFC 266 medical suspensions (courtesy of MMA Fighting) includes:

Alexander Volkanovski: Suspended until Oct. 26, no contact until Oct. 17
Brian Ortega: Must receive clearance from ophthalmologist for right orbital blowout fracture or no contest until March 25. Minimum suspension no contest until Nov. 25, no contact until Nov. 10
Lauren Murphy: Suspended until Nov. 10, no contact until Oct. 26
Robbie Lawler: Suspended until Oct. 26, no contact until Oct. 17
Nick Diaz: Suspended until Nov. 10, no contact until Oct. 26
Curtis Blaydes: Suspended until Oct. 26, no contact until Oct. 17
Jairzinho Rozenstruik: Must receive dental clearance on teeth 19-24 or no contest until March 25. Minimum suspension no contest until Oct. 26, no contact until Oct. 17
Cynthia Calvillo: Suspended until Nov. 10, no contact until Oct. 26
Merab Dvalishvili: Suspended until Nov. 10, no contact until Oct. 26
Marlon Moraes: Must have right hand and left thumb X-ray; if either is positive, must receive clearance from orthopedic doctor or no contest until March 25. Minimum suspension no contest until Nov. 10, no contact until Oct. 26
Dan Hooker: Must have right foot X-ray; if positive, must receive clearance from orthopedic doctor or no contest until March 25. Minimum suspension no contest until Oct. 25, no contact until Oct. 17
Nasrat Haqparast: Suspended until Nov. 10, no contact until Oct. 26 — right ribs
Chris Daukaus: Suspended until Oct. 10, no contact until Oct. 3
Shamil Abdurakhimov: Must receive clearance from ENT (ear nose, and throat) doctor or no contest until March 25. Minimum suspension no contest until Nov. 25, no contact until Nov. 10
Taila Santos: Must have right hand X-ray; if positive, must receive clearance from orthopedic doctor or no contest until March 25. Minimum suspension no contest until Oct. 10, no contact until Oct. 3
Roxanne Modafferi: Suspended until Oct. 26, no contact until Oct. 17 — scalp laceration
Uros Medic: Requires left thumb MRI and X-ray; if positive, must receive clearance from orthopedic doctor or no contest until March 25. Minimum suspension no contest until Oct. 26, no contact until Oct. 17
Nick Maximov: Suspended until Oct. 26, no contact until Oct. 17 — scalp laceration
Martin Sano: Must receive clearance from orthopedic doctor for broken left thumb and ENT doctor for broken nose or no contest until March 25. Minimum suspension no contest until Nov. 25, no contact until Nov. 10
Jonathan Pearce: Requires left hand MRI; if positive, must receive clearance from orthopedic doctor or no contest until March 25. Minimum suspension no contest until Oct. 26, no contact until Oct. 17
Omar Morales: Requires left ankle X-ray; if positive, must receive clearance from orthopedic doctor or no contest until March 25. Minimum suspension no contest until Oct. 26, no contact until Oct. 17

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 266 results and play-by-play click here.