Curtis Blaydes, Jiri Prochazka among 6 indefinite suspensions at UFC 327
Six fighters from UFC 327 received indefinite medical suspensions from the Florida Athletic Commission, with heavyweight Curtis Blaydes and former light heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka among those requiring clearance before competing again.
Blaydes fractured his orbital bone and broke his nose during his three-round war with Josh Hokit at the April 11 card in Miami, according to MMA Fighting. He dropped a unanimous decision after absorbing brutal damage across all three rounds, one of the wildest heavyweight battles in recent memory. Blaydes told the outlet he plans to have surgery on the orbital fracture and hopes to fight again before the year ends.
Ulberg faces lengthy recovery after ACL tear
New light heavyweight champion Carlos Ulberg also landed on the indefinite list after tearing his ACL early in his title fight against Prochazka but gutting out a first-round knockout anyway. He has already undergone surgery, per Sherdog, and UFC CEO Dana White said at UFC Winnipeg that Ulberg will stay in Las Vegas to rehab at the Performance Institute rather than return to New Zealand. Prochazka received an indefinite suspension as well following the knockout loss.
The commission handed indefinite terms to four others: Azamat Murzakanov, Dominick Reyes, and Johnny Walker. Florida does not disclose injury specifics for fighters on indefinite hold. Hokit escaped with just a 45-day suspension despite the damage he absorbed from Blaydes, clearing him to face Derrick Lewis at the upcoming UFC White House card.
Among shorter suspensions, Cub Swanson, Nate Landwehr, Aaron Pico, Kevin Holland, Randy Brown, and Charles Radtke each drew 30 days. Patricio Freire and Chris Padilla got 45 days, while Kelvin Gastelum received the minimum 21-day term.
Photo by yousef samuil on Unsplash
Original reporting:
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