Nurmagomedov submitted Gaethje in the second round of their lightweight title unification bout on Saturday in Abu Dhabi before “The Eagle” announced his retirement from the sport. Gaethje’s four-fight winning streak was snapped in the process.
According to MMA.tv, the official record keepers for the Association of Boxing Commissions, Nurmagomedov and Gaethje were each issued seven-day mandatory rest suspensions following their title matchup.
Meanwhile, three fighters on the card could face potential six-month layoffs, including Jared Cannonier—one half of the co-main event. Cannonier dropped a unanimous decision to Robert Whittaker and will need to be cleared by a doctor, as well as a negative X-ray for his left wrist. In addition, “Killa Gorilla” will be forced to sit for 30 days with 21 days of no contact.
Whittaker was given a seven-day mandatory rest suspension following his second straight win.
Nathaniel Wood and Liana Jojua are also facing potential six-month layoffs. Wood, who dropped a unanimous decision to Casey Kenney, needs to have his right hand cleared by an X-ray and faces 30 days rest with 21 days of no contact. Jojua will need to be cleared by an ear, nose and throat doctor after her TKO loss to Miranda Maverick and will be forced to sit for 60 days with 45 days no contact.
Here are the full medical suspensions from UFC 254 as confirmed to MMA.tv by the UFC, who acts as their own commission in Abu Dhabi:
Khabib Nurmagomedov: 7 days mandatory rest
Justin Gaethje: 7 days mandatory rest
Robert Whittaker: 7 days mandatory rest
Jared Cannonier: 180 days unless cleared by doctor for left wrist. Minimum suspension for 30 days with 21 days no contact
Alexander Volkov: 7 days mandatory rest
Walt Harris: 30 days for TKO, 21 days no contact
Phil Hawes: 7 days mandatory rest
Jacob Malkoun: 60 days for KO, 45 days no contact
Lauren Murphy: 7 days mandatory rest
Liliya Shakirova: 7 days mandatory rest
Magomed Ankalaev: 7 days mandatory rest
Ion Cutelaba: 45 days for TKO, 30 days no contact
Tai Tuivasa: 7 days mandatory rest
Stefan Struve: 45 days for KO, 30 days no contact
Casey Kenney: 30 days for hard bout, 21 days no contact
Nathaniel Wood: 180 days unless cleared by doctor for right hand. Minimum suspension for 30 days with 21 days no contact
Shavkat Rakhmonov: 7 days mandatory rest
Alex Oliveira: 7 days mandatory rest
Da Un Jung: 7 days mandatory rest
Sam Alvey: 30 days, 21 days no contact
Miranda Maverick: 7 days mandatory rest
Liana Jojua: 180 days unless cleared by ENT. Minimum suspension for 60 days with 45 days no contact
Joel Alvarez: 7 days mandatory rest
Alexander Yakovlev: 7 days mandatory rest
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