Nigerian mixed-martial arts fighter, Israel Adesanya, has been slammed with a six-month medical suspension following Saturday’s defeat to Jan Blachowicz in Las Vegas.
Adesanya lost by unanimous decision after five rounds and the UFC middleweight champion’s bid become a two-division champion seems to have proved costly.
Dubbed “The Last Stylebener, Adesanya reportedly suffered a foot injury in the five-round main event battle with UFC light heavyweight champion Blachowicz, which will keep him out for six months.
According to the Chairman, Nevada Athletic Commission, Anthony A. Marnell III, “Adesanya must have left foot & ankle x-ray, if positive must have Orthopedic Dr clearance or no contest until 09/03/21; minimum suspension no contest until 04/21/21, no contact until 04/06/21.”
As such, the 31-year-old would have to wait till September 2021 to get a clearance to fight from the official Association of Boxing Commissions.
The defeat on Saturday was Adesanya’s first career defeat after previously holding a 20-fight undefeated record in the middleweight category.
The 31-year-old will also undergo X-rays on his left foot and ankle to determine the level of damage sustained before knowing when he will return.
Meanwhile, the commission also announced that Blachowicz who bested Adesanya via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-45, 49-45) has also been suspended until 04/06/21.