<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Six fighters were issued medical suspensions in the wake of UFC 81, according to Nevada State Athletic Commission paperwork today acquired by MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). The event took place this past Saturday at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas and aired live on pay-per-view. The only fighter sustaining a serious injury and extended suspension was David Heath, who suffered a first-round TKO to UFC newcomer Tim Boetsch in a televised bout. Heath was tagged with a number of leg and body kicks before being tossed to the canvas and punched repeatedly in the head before the stoppage. Heath suffered a nasal fracture in the fight and must have the injury cleared by a doctor; otherwise, his suspension runs until Aug. 1. Additionally, Frank Mir, Kyle Bradley and Marvin Eastman were issued minimal short-term suspensions due to lacerations, and Tim Sylvia and Keita Nakamura were suspended for precautionary reasons. The full list includes: Tim Sylvia — suspended until March 3 with no contact until Feb. 24 for precautionary reasons (third-round submission loss to Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira) Frank Mir — suspended until March 3 with no contact until Feb. 24 due to a scalp laceration (first-round submission win over Brock Lesnar) Kyle Bradley — suspended until March 19 with no contact until March 2 due to a facial laceration (first-round KO loss to Chris Lytle) David Heath — must have nasal fracture cleared by a doctor or suspended until Aug. 1; minimum suspension until April 3 with no contact until March 19 (first-round TKO loss to Tim Boetsch) Marvin Eastman — suspended until March 2 with no contact until Feb. 24 due to right upper-eyelid laceration (unanimous-decision victory over Terry Martin) Keita Nakamura — suspended until March 19 with no contact until March 2 for precautionary reason (split-decision loss to Rob Emerson)</div> hmm other than Heath and his vicious TKO loss, nothing major to report here.
The athletic commission does it to protect the fighters, just like in boxing as they could be pressured by fight orgs to fight more often and possibly suffer severe and or permanent damage. It's for their long term health and safety. A lot of these guys who get KO'd etc must get some form of concussion I would imagine. Ditto the submissions must strain a lot of muscles etc.
