Outside the main event, UFC 248 was an action-packed card. No fight more so than the co-main strawweight title fight between champion Weili Zhang and challenger Joanna Jedrzejczyk. The two women threw almost 800 strikes combined over 5 rounds, with both landing at a significant clip. By the time the final bell rang, their faces were swollen and bruised. Jedrzejczyk especially looked like she could be on the shelf for a while.
According to the ringside physicians on hand for the fight, however, both women can return to full contact sparring late next month, and could fight again as soon as May. Instead, while Isreal Adesanya may have only landed 48 strikes over 5 rounds against Yoel Romero, he could be out until as late as September, pending a doctor’s clearance. That also goes for Beneil Dariush, Max Griffin, Sean O’Malley, Mark O. Madsen, Gerald Meerschaert, and Danaa Batgerel. A rough night for fight winners.
Here’s a complete list of the UFC 248 medical suspensions as provided by the Nevada State Athletic Commission:
ISRAEL ADESANYA - Must have x-ray of both feet. If positive, doctor’s clearance required or no contest until Sep. 4th. Minimum suspension until Apr. 7th, no sparring until Mar. 29.
YOEL ROMERO - No suspension.
WEILI ZHANG - Suspended until May 7th, no sparring until Apr. 22nd.
JOANNA JEDRZEJCZYK - Suspended until May 7th, no sparring until Apr. 22nd.
BENEIL DARIUSH - Must have MRI of right knee. If positive, doctor’s clearance required or no contest until Sep. 4th.
DRAKKAR KLOSE - Suspended until Apr. 22nd, no sparring until Apr. 7th.
NEIL MAGNY - No suspension.
LI JINGLIANG - Suspended until Apr. 22nd, no sparring until Apr. 7th.
ALEX OLIVEIRA - Suspended until Apr. 22nd, no sparring until Apr. 7th.
MAX GRIFFIN - Must have x-ray or MRI of left shoulder. If positive, doctor’s clearance required or no contest until Sep. 4th. Minimum suspension until Apr. 22nd, no sparring until Apr. 7th due to facial lacerations.
SEAN O’MALLEY - Must have x-ray of left foot. If positive, doctor’s clearance required or no contest until Sep. 4th. Minimum suspension until Apr. 7, no sparring until Mar. 29th.
JOSE QUINONEZ - Suspended until Apr. 22nd, no sparring until Apr. 7th.
MARK O. MADSEN - Must have jaw fracture cleared by surgeon or no contest until Sep. 4th. Minimum suspension until Apr. 22nd, no sparring until Apr. 7th.
AUSTIN HUBBARD - No suspension.
RODOLFO VIEIRA - Suspended until Apr. 7, no sparring until Mar. 29th due to facial laceration.
SAPARBEK SAFAROV - No suspension.
GERALD MEERSCHAERT - Must have x-ray of left ankle. If positive, doctor’s clearance required or no contest until Sep. 4th. Minimum suspension until Apr. 7, no sparring until Mar. 29th.
DERON WINN - Suspended until Apr. 7, no sparring until Mar. 29th.
GIGIA CHIKADZE - Suspended until Apr. 22nd, no sparring until Apr. 7th due to facial contusion.
JAMALL EMMERS - No suspension.
BATGEREL DANAA - Must have x-ray of right foot. If positive, doctor’s clearance required or no contest until Sep. 4th. Minimum suspension until Apr. 7, no sparring until Mar. 29th.
GUIDO CANNETTI - Suspended until Apr. 22nd, no sparring until Apr. 7th due to left leg pain.