Chris Weidman issued 6-month medical suspension
JACKSONVILLE (Reuters) – Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman was issued a 180-day medical suspension after a gruesome injury at UFC 261 last week in Jacksonville, Fla.
Weidman is facing a recovery period of up to a year after badly breaking his right leg just 17 seconds into his bout against Uriah Hall. He collapsed to the canvas as his lower leg snapped in a gruesome manner.
Medical personnel treated Weidman before he was taken out of the Octagon on a stretcher, and he underwent surgery the following day.
Weidman, who turns 37 in June, said in an Instagram video that both the tibia and fibula were broken. He said surgeons inserted a titanium rod in the leg.
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulations handed down the list of medical suspensions, which includes five other fighters who are shelved for a potential 180 days.
Valentina Shevchenko, the women s flyweight champion, is one of those fighters. The reason for the medical suspensions are not listed, due to privacy laws.
Shevchenko successfully defended her title with a TKO finish of Jessica Andrade at UFC 261.
Weidman (15-6) has lost six of his last eight bouts after opening his career with 13 consecutive victories.