The veteran heavyweight suffered a brutal loss at the hands of Alexander Volkov in the UFC Vegas 18 main event this past Saturday and could be out of action for six months, according to the list of official medical suspensions from mixedmartialarts.com.
Overeem, 40, was diagnosed with a nasal bone fracture following the 15th KO/TKO loss of his career. He requires clearance from an ENT (ear, nose, and throat doctor) or he will be suspended from competition until Aug. 6.
On Sunday, Overeem issued a statement on Instagram in which he praised Volkov and mentioned that his nose was broken in the first round by a punch.
Other fighters facing potential six-month suspensions include flyweight contenders Alexandre Pantoja (hands) and Manel Kape (right thumb), Mike Rodriguez (left shoulder), Devonte Smith (right hand and wrist), Karol Rosa (left hand), and Joselyne Edwards (left shoulder). All require further examination and clearance from a physician to avoid being shelved for the maximum duration.
Frankie Edgar was on the wrong end of the night’s scariest KO courtesy of a Cory Sandhagen flying knee, but was not on the list of fighters facing a six-month suspension. However, he is suspended from competition until April 8.
UFC Vegas 18, which took place at UFC APEX in Las Vegas, was overseen by the Nevada Athletic Commission.
See the full list of medical suspensions below:
Alistar Overeem: Must receive clearance from ENT or no contest until Aug. 6; minimum suspension no contest until April 8, no contact until March 24
Frankie Edgar: Suspended until April 8, no contact until March 24
Clay Guida: Must have forehead laceration cleared by doctor or no contest until March 9, no contact until Feb. 28
Michael Johnson: Suspended until Feb. 28, no contact until Feb. 21
Alexandre Pantoja: Must receive clearance from orthopedic doctor on negative result from X-ray on both hands or no contest until Aug. 6; minimum suspension no contest until March 9, no contact until Feb. 28
Manel Kape: Must have right thumb swelling cleared by doctor or no contest until Aug. 6
Beneil Dariush: Suspended until March 9, no contact until Feb. 28 (laceration under left eye)
Diego Ferreira: Suspended until March 9, no contact until Feb. 28
Mike Rodriguez: Must receive clearance from orthopedic doctor on negative result from MRI of left shoulder or no contest until Aug. 6; minimum suspension no contest until March 9, no contact until Feb. 28
Devonte Smith: Must receive clearance from orthopedic doctor on negative result from X-ray on right hand and wrist or no contest until Aug. 6; minimum suspension no contest until March 9, no contact until Feb. 28
Justin Jaynes: Suspended until March 9, no contact until Feb. 28 (left eye swelling)
Karol Rosa: Must receive clearance from orthopedic doctor on negative result from X-ray on left hand or no contest until Aug. 6; minimum suspension no contest until March 9, no contact until Feb. 28
Joselyne Edwards: Must receive clearance from orthopedic doctor for left shoulder sprain or no contest until Aug. 6
Seung Woo Choi: Suspended until Feb. 28, no contact until Feb. 21
Timur Valiev: Suspended until Feb. 28, no contact until Feb. 21
Jerome Rivera: Suspended until March 24, no contact until March 9
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