Jorge Masvidal
Four, including Masvidal, Noons, Evangelista out indefinitely
Ten fighters from Saturday’s Strikeforce card, including headliners Gilbert Melendez and Jorge Masvidal, have been handed medical suspensions following their bouts. The California State Athletic Commission on Tuesday night released the list of suspensions to HeavyMMA.com.
Melendez beat Masvidal in a five-round unanimous decision, defending his Strikeforce lightweight title. But he was given a 45-day suspension, with 30 days of no contact, because of a hard fight for precautionary reasons. And Masvidal was given an indefinite suspension with a minimum of 45 days for a cut over his left eye. He can be cleared from the indefinite suspension if a doctor clears him from a possible injury to his right hand.
In the main card’s opening fight, which kicked off the Showtime broadcast, KJ Noons went the distance with Billy Evangelista, winning a unanimous decision. But both fighters are shut down indefinitely until doctors clear them after looking at their left eyes.
On the preliminary card, Devin Cole was handed an indefinite suspension for a cut on his left eye, as well. Even with clearance from a doctor, he is out for 60 days. And in the first fight on the preliminary card, Chris Brown is shut down for 180 days for possible fractures of his right foot and left hand.
The full list of suspensions is below:
Gilbert Melendez: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days (precautionary, hard fight)
Jorge Masvidal: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days (cut on left eyelid); suspended indefinitely for right hand pain until cleared by doctor
Hiroko Yamanaka: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days (precautionary from knockout)
KJ Noons: Suspended indefinitely until cleared by doctor (decreased vision in left eye)
Billy Evangelista: Suspended indefinitely until cleared by doctor (irritation in left eye)
Justin Wilcox: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days (precautionary from knockout)
Jerron Peoples: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days (precautionary from knockout)
Devin Cole: Suspended 60 days with no contact for 60 days (cut on left eyelid); suspended indefinitely for abrasion on left eye until cleared by doctor
Herman Terrado: Suspended 60 days with no contact for 60 days (cut under left eye)
Chris Brown: Suspended 180 days with no contact for 180 days (possible fracture of right foot and possible fracture of left hand)