UFC 197 Medical Suspensions: Jon Jones, Ovince St. Preux Facing Potential 6-Month Layoffs

Both competitors from this past Saturday’s UFC 197 headliner could be looking at an extended time on the sideline, according to medical suspensions released on Tuesday by the Nevada Athletic Commission.

Newly crowned interim champion Jon Jones must have his left foot x-rayed following his unanimous decision triumph over St. Preux. If he is not cleared, then he cannot compete until Oct. 21. Jones was briefly seen backstage in a wheelchair following UFC 197, but he dismissed the notion that he was seriously injured at the post-fight press conference. A lengthy injury hiatus could derail the promotion’s plans to book Jones in a title unification bout against Daniel Cormier at UFC 200.

Meanwhile, St. Preux, who clearly injured his left arm during the bout, must have his broken left ulna cleared by an orthopedic doctor or he too will be shelved until Oct. 21. At a minimum, St. Preux is suspended until June 8 with no contact until May 24.

UFC 197 took place at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and also saw Demetrious Johnson defend his flyweight strap with a first-round technical knockout of Henry Cejudo in the evening’s co main event. “Mighty Mouse” emerged from the contest with a clean bill of health, while Cejudo is suspended until June 8 with no contact until May 24.

Eight other fighters are facing possible six-month sits following UFC 197: Robert Whittaker (left hand), Rafael Natal (nasal fracture), Andre Fili (left orbital), Sergio Pettis (right hand), Danny Roberts (left foot), Glaico Franco (nasal fracture), Walt Harris (right hand), and Cody East (nasal fracture).

UFC 197 Medical Suspensions

Jon Jones: Must have left foot x-rayed; if positive then cleared by orthopedic doctor or no contest until Oct. 21

Ovince St. Preux: Must have broken left ulna cleared by an orthopedic doctor or no contest until Oct. 21; minimum suspension until June 8; no contact until May 24

Henry Cejudo: Suspended until June 8; no contact until May 24

Anthony Pettis: Suspended until May 24; no contact until May 15 due to right eyebrow cut

Robert Whittaker: Must have right hand x-rayed; if positive then cleared by orthopedic doctor or no contest until Oct. 21; minimum suspension no contest until May 24, no contact until May 15

Rafael Natal: Must have nasal fracture cleared by doctor or no contest until Oct. 21; minimum suspension no contest until June 8, no contact until May 24

Andre Fili: Must have left interior orbital wall fracture cleared by surgeon or no contest until Oct. 21; minimum suspension no contest until June 8, no contact until May 24

Sergio Pettis: Must have right hand x-rayed; if positive then clearance by orthopedic doctor or no contest until Oct. 21

Chris Kelades: Suspended until May 24; no contact until May 15 due to facial abrasions

Danny Roberts: Must have left foot cleared by orthopedic doctor or no contest until Oct. 21; minimum suspension no contest until June 8, no contact until May 24

Dominique Steele: Needs yearly eye examination to follow possibility of glaucoma; due by 3/22/17

Juliana Lima: Suspended until May 24; no contact until May 15

Glaico Franca: Must have ophthalmological exam. Must also have nasal fracture cleared by doctor or no contest until Oct. 21; minimum suspension no contest until June 23, no contact until June 8

Walt Harris: Must have right hand x-rayed, if positive then cleared by orthopedic doctor or no contest until Oct. 21; minimum suspension no contest until May 24, no contact until May 15

Cody East: Must have nasal fracture cleared by doctor or no contest until Oct. 21; minimum suspension no contest until June 8, non contact until May 24

Clint Hester: Suspended until June 8; no contact until May 24