UFC 266 Medical Suspensions: Brian Ortega Might Be Sidelined For Six Months

By Fight Sports Sep 30, 2021

Brian Ortega shared the octagon with current featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski and suffered a loss in his second title fight. And with the loss, also came injury.

Ortega is just one of more than a dozen fighters who have been medically suspended after UFC 266.

The American fighter had his moments against Volkanovski, but he received lots of damage.

In the third round, after failing an attempt to finish his rival with guillotine or triangle choke, his Australian rival showed massive ground and pound skills, and the referee almost stopped the fight. Because of the punches he took in those five rounds, it looks like Ortega must rest at least 6 months for a full recovery.

This isn’t the first pro-longed medical suspension for Ortega. After receiving lots of damage in a title fight with Holloway, it took two years for Ortega to be back.

Dan Hooker, Marlon Moraes, Jairzinho Rozenstruik, Shamil Abdurakhimov, Taila Santos, Uros Medic, Martin Sano, Jonathan Pearce and Omar Morales are suffering some injuries too.

Here’s the list of full medical suspensions:

Alexander Volkanovski: Suspended until Oct. 26, no contact until Oct. 17
Brian Ortega: Must receive clearance from ophthalmologist for right orbital blowout fracture or no contest until March 25. Minimum suspension no contest until Nov. 25, no contact until Nov. 10
Lauren Murphy: Suspended until Nov. 10, no contact until Oct. 26
Robbie Lawler: Suspended until Oct. 26, no contact until Oct. 17
Nick Diaz: Suspended until Nov. 10, no contact until Oct. 26
Curtis Blaydes: Suspended until Oct. 26, no contact until Oct. 17
Jairzinho Rozenstruik: Must receive dental clearance on teeth 19-24 or no contest until March 25. Minimum suspension no contest until Oct. 26, no contact until Oct. 17
Cynthia Calvillo: Suspended until Nov. 10, no contact until Oct. 26
Merab Dvalishvili: Suspended until Nov. 10, no contact until Oct. 26
Marlon Moraes: Must have right hand and left thumb X-ray; if either is positive, must receive clearance from orthopedic doctor or no contest until March 25. Minimum suspension no contest until Nov. 10, no contact until Oct. 26
Dan Hooker: Must have right foot X-ray; if positive, must receive clearance from orthopedic doctor or no contest until March 25. Minimum suspension no contest until Oct. 25, no contact until Oct. 17
Nasrat Haqparast: Suspended until Nov. 10, no contact until Oct. 26 — right ribs
Chris Daukaus: Suspended until Oct. 10, no contact until Oct. 3
Shamil Abdurakhimov: Must receive clearance from ENT (ear nose, and throat) doctor or no contest until March 25. Minimum suspension no contest until Nov. 25, no contact until Nov. 10
Taila Santos: Must have right hand X-ray; if positive, must receive clearance from orthopedic doctor or no contest until March 25. Minimum suspension no contest until Oct. 10, no contact until Oct. 3
Roxanne Modafferi: Suspended until Oct. 26, no contact until Oct. 17 — scalp laceration
Uros Medic: Requires left thumb MRI and X-ray; if positive, must receive clearance from orthopedic doctor or no contest until March 25. Minimum suspension no contest until Oct. 26, no contact until Oct. 17
Nick Maximov: Suspended until Oct. 26, no contact until Oct. 17 — scalp laceration
Martin Sano: Must receive clearance from orthopedic doctor for broken left thumb and ENT doctor for broken nose or no contest until March 25. Minimum suspension no contest until Nov. 25, no contact until Nov. 10
Jonathan Pearce: Requires left hand MRI; if positive, must receive clearance from orthopedic doctor or no contest until March 25. Minimum suspension no contest until Oct. 26, no contact until Oct. 17
Omar Morales: Requires left ankle X-ray; if positive, must receive clearance from orthopedic doctor or no contest until March 25. Minimum suspension no contest until Oct. 26, no contact until Oct. 17