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Israel Adesanya Given Lengthy Medical Suspension Following UFC 259 Defeat

Israel Adesanya Given Lengthy Medical Suspension Following UFC 259 Defeat

Adesanya is facing a spell on the sideline after losing to Jan Blachowicz.

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar

Israel Adesanya could be out of action for six months after receiving a lengthy medical suspension following his defeat at UFC 259.

Adesanya lost his first UFC fight of his career after Jan Blachowicz edged out a unanimous decision victory last Saturday.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) have since released their medical suspensions for the card in Las Vegas with 'The Last Stylebender' coming off the worse.

He is facing a six-month medical suspension after being informed that he needs to get his left foot and ankle cleared by a medical profession, according to MixedMartialArts.

The Nigerian-born Kiwi star must provide x-rays of his left foot and ankle following damage suffered in the title bout.

But his term can be reduced if he is cleared by doctors and could return as soon as April 21.

Though he could be out till September if he is required to serve the entirety of his medical suspension.

As for Blachowicz, the Polish fighter has been banned from any contact until March 28 and medically suspended until April 6.

Image: PA
Image: PA
Image: PA
Image: PA

Adesanya was attempting to become just the fifth fighter in UFC history to hold titles in two different weight divisions at the same time.

But he fell short in his bid to become the UFC light-heavyweight champion.

Speaking at the post-fight press conference, UFC president Dana White said Adesanya should focus on the middleweight division.

"Jon Jones used to be at that weight class," he explained.

"Jon's going to be so much bigger than Israel. I think Israel should focus on middleweight right now. Get back, keep doing what he does in the middleweight division."

The UFC middleweight king, however, insists he will return to 205lbs in the future.

"You'll see me back at 205 [pounds] later in the future. Right now, I've got a division I've got to dominate," he said.

"I know what they're thinking, 'Oh, that's it, you've just got to take him down and then you've got him.'

"All right, cool, bet, but I'll remind them again why I'm the king of 185."

Featured Image Credit: PA/UFC

Topics: Jan Blachowicz, UFC News, Fight News, UFC, Israel Adesanya

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado, and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Darren Till, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

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