Eleven fighters who competed at UFC 328 last Saturday at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, received indefinite medical suspensions from the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board, according to Yahoo Sports. The card featured two title fights and left a significant portion of its roster sidelined pending medical clearance.
Sean Strickland, who defeated Khamzat Chimaev by split decision to claim the middleweight title in the main event, is suspended indefinitely pending orthopedist clearance of his left hand. Strickland had recently revealed a series of shoulder-related injuries heading into the fight. His minimum suspension is 45 days, with 30 days of no contact.
Chimaev came out of the fight in comparatively better shape. The former title challenger received a standard 45-day suspension with 30 days of no contact, without an indefinite hold attached.
The co-main event produced two indefinite suspensions as well. Joshua Van, who stopped Tatsuro Taira by fifth-round TKO to win the flyweight title, is suspended indefinitely pending orthopedist clearance of his left hand, with a minimum of 30 days and 21 days of no contact. Taira faces a stiffer road back. In addition to an indefinite suspension pending a CT head scan, he received a mandatory 90-day suspension with 60 days of no contact due to a knockout loss.
Several other fighters from the card also drew indefinite terms. Jeremy Stephens is suspended pending orthopedist clearance of a groin injury. Osman Diaz needs ophthalmologist clearance of his right eye and carries a 60-day suspension after a knockout loss. Grant Dawson must clear x-rays on his right tibia before returning. Jim Miller and Baisangur Susurkaev both need hand x-rays and orthopedist clearance, while Susurkaev also needs x-rays on his right foot. Mateusz Rebecki requires physician clearance for a left lateral orbit laceration. Marco Tulio is suspended pending orthopedist clearance of his left foot and ankle. Clayton Carpenter faces x-rays of his left lower leg and orthopedist clearance before he can compete again.
Fighters who received standard fixed suspensions without indefinite holds included Chimaev, Waldo Cortes-Acosta, Joaquin Buckley, Jared Gordon, Roman Kopylov, Djorden Santos, and Jose Ochoa.
