UFC 143 Medical Suspensions: 15 Fighters On the Shelf

Roy Nelson, left, vs. Fabricio Werdum (James Law/HeavyMMA)

Fabricio Werdum could be out six months

A total of 15 fighters from Saturday’s UFC 143 pay-per-view in Las Vegas were given medical suspensions following their fights, including potential six-month shelf time for six fighters.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission released the medical suspensions to HeavyMMA.com on Monday. Among the most notable, Fabricio Werdum received a six-month suspension after his win over Roy Nelson in the co-main event – though he can be cleared by a doctor and return to action after as little as a month. Werdum beat Nelson by a 30-27 sweep of the scorecards, but a contusion on his right quadriceps will shut him down for a while. Nelson received a 60-day suspension for a cut on his head.

Main-event winner Carlos Condit, who outpointed Nick Diaz to win the UFC’s interim welterweight title, will be out for a month for a cut on his right cheek. Diaz did not receive a medical suspension – but said after the loss that he was leaving mixed martial arts due to the decision, which he believed should have gone in his favor.

Other fighters shut down for potentially six months were Ed Herman, Clifford Starks, Edwin Figueroa, Matthew Riddle and Henry Martinez – though all can be cleared early by doctors.

The full list of medical suspensions is below:

Carlos Condit: Suspended until March 6, no contact until Feb. 26 (cut on right cheek)
Fabricio Werdum: Suspended until March 6, no contact until Feb. 26 (standard precautionary); additionally, must have contusion on right quadriceps cleared by doctor or no contest until Aug. 3
Roy Nelson: Suspended until April 5 (laceration on forehead)
Mike Pierce: Suspended until March 6, no contact until Feb. 26 (laceration on right eye)
Scott Jorgensen: Suspended until March 6, no contact until Feb. 26 (standard precautionary)
Ed Herman: Suspended until March 6, no contact until Feb. 26 (standard precautionary); additionally, must have both hands x-rayed and cleared by an orthopedic doctor or no contest until Aug. 3
Clifford Starks: Must have fourth finger on left hand x-rayed and cleared by an orthopedic doctor or no contest until Aug. 3
Max Holloway: Suspended until Feb. 26, no contact until Feb. 19 (laceration on right eye)
Edwin Figueroa: Suspended until March 6, no contact until Feb. 26 (standard precautionary); additionally, must have right groin injury cleared by doctor or no contest until Aug. 3
Alex Cacaeres: Suspended until March 6, no contact until Feb. 26 (standard precautionary)
Chris Cope: Suspended until April 5, no contact until March 21 (standard precautionary)
Matthew Riddle: Suspended until March 21, no contact until March 6 (laceration on left eye); additionally, must have broken right index finger cleared by doctor or no contest until Aug. 3
Henry Martinez: Suspended until March 21, no contact until March 6 (laceration on left nasal); additionally, must have right foot x-rayed and cleared by orthopedic doctor or no contest until Aug. 3
Michael Kuiper: Suspended until March 6, no contact until Feb. 26 (standard precautionary); additionally, must have left foot x-rayed and cleared by orthopedic doctor or no contest until Aug. 3
Dan Stittgen: Suspended until March 21, no contact until March 6 (standard precautionary)