Stephen Thompson faces possible six-month medical suspension

By Damon Martin
Published

Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson picked up the biggest win of his UFC career on Saturday night with a first-round knockout over former welterweight champion Johny Hendricks, but he'll have to get an ankle injury checked out before returning to the Octagon.

Thompson was issued a mandatory 30-day medical suspension with no contact for 20 days following his win over Hendricks, but the karate specialist will also have to get an X-ray cleared by a physician or he'll face a possible six-month suspension.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission sent a list of medical suspensions to FOX Sports on Monday with Thompson required to have his ankle X-rayed by an orthopedist for clearance to return to action or he won't be eligible until Aug. 7, 2016.

The good news is Thompson said while his foot did take some damage from the kicks he was landing on Hendricks, he doesn't think anything was broken as a result.

"My foot, I thought I broke it kicking one of Johny Hendricks' elbows during (the fight)," Thompson told FOX Sports on Monday. "It's banged up, it's a little bruised, very sore right now. We'll take a few days off and see how it feels. I know I have to get an X-ray this week to see if anything's broken in my foot, but the way I'm walking on it, I'm limping a little bit, but I don't think anything's broken."

As for Hendricks, he will face a similar 30-day suspension and 20 days with no contact following the first knockout loss of his career.

Alex Nicholson, who suffered a fractured jaw on Saturday night courtesy of a vicious neck crank from opponent Misha Cirkunov, will also be sidelined after his loss. Nicholson must be cleared for bilateral jaw fractures and a broken nose by an oral, maxillofacial doctor or he'll be suspended for six months.

Here are the full medical suspensions from UFC Fight Night: Hendricks vs. Thompson

Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson: Suspended 30 days, no contact for 20 days. Must have right ankle X-rayed; if positive then must get clearance from an orthopedist or no contest for six months until Aug. 7, 2016.

Johny Hendricks: Suspended 30 days, no contact for 20 days.

Jared Rosholt: Suspended 30 days, no contact for 20 days. Must have left ankle X-rayed; if positive then must get clearance from orthopedist or no contest for six months until Aug. 7, 2016.

Roy Nelson: Suspended 30 days, no contact for 20 days.

Rafael Cavalcante: Must have right eye cleared by ophthalmologist or no contest for six months until Aug. 7, 2016. Minimum suspension 45 days, no contact for 30 days.

Ovince Saint Preux: Suspended 30 days, no contact for 20 days. Must have right ankle X-rayed; if positive must get clearance from orthopedist or no contest for six months until Aug. 7, 2016.

Joseph Benavidez: Suspended 45 days, no contact for 30 days due to left eyebrow laceration.

Alex Nicholson: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days. Must have bilateral jaw fractures and broken nose cleared by an oral, maxillofacial doctor or no contest for six months until August 7, 2016.

Sean Spencer: Suspended 45 days, no contact for 30 days.

KJ Noons: Suspended 45 days, no contact for 30 days due to laceration on finger.

Josh Burkman: Suspended 20 days, no contact for 13 days. Must have MRI on right shoulder and clearance by an orthopedist or no contest for six months until Aug. 7, 2016.

Damian Grabowski: Suspended 45 days, no contact for 30 days due to scalp laceration.

Ray Borg: Suspended 30 days, no contact for 20 days due to a "tough fight."

Diego Rivas: Must have both knees cleared by an orthopedist or no contest for six months until Aug 7, 2016.

Noad Lahat: Suspended 60 days, no contact for 45 days.

Artem Lobov: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 20 days due to a left upper eyelid laceration.