UFC Vegas 21 Medical Suspensions: The Latest on Belal’s Eye

Belal Muhammad UFC Vegas 21 weigh-in
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 12: Bulal Muhammad poses on the scale during the UFC weigh-in at UFC APEX on March 12, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

The biggest story coming out of UFC Vegas 21 was the eye poke heard ’round the world. Dana White found the most gruesome picture of the poke (or pull, if you’re focused on the eye lid), and plastered every social media account with it. However, while it might be expected that Belal Muhammad would be facing a long layoff, the injury actually only requires a 30 day medical suspension. While the suspected corneal abrasion would make it such that Muhammad would have little to no chance at continuing, he may be able to get back in there faster than some of the others on the card.

One of those others facing a longer layoff is Marcelo Rojo, who participated in an absolute war with Charles Jourdain. He clearly came out of the bout worse for the wear as the commission issued him a 180 day suspension due to suspected fractures in his face. He can, like most lengthy suspensions, see that number go down with a clear bill of health and some x-rays. Others receiving that same length included Ashley Yoder, Nasrat Haqparast, Rafa Garcia, and Cortney Casey.

Full list of medical suspensions from UFC Vegas 21 is as follows:

Belal Muhammad – 30 days or until cleared by an ophthalmologist
Misha Cirkunov – 60 days
Gavin Tucker – 45 days
Davey Grant – 30 days
Jonathan Martinez – 45 days
Manel Kape – 21 days
Darren Stewart – 45 days
Angela Hill – 30 days or until cleared by an ophthalmologist
Ashley Yoder – 180 days or until ear is cleared by ear, nose and throat doctor
Charles Jourdain – 30 days
Marcelo Rojo – 180 days or until cleared from maxillofacial fractures
Ray Rodriguez – 21 days
Nasrat Haqparast – 180 days or until cleared by x-ray of left fibula
Rafa Garcia – 180 days or until cleared by x-ray of right elbow
JJ Aldrich – 21 days
Cortney Casey – 180 days or until cleared by x-ray of right foot and right hand
Jinh Yu Frey – 21 days
Jason Witt – 30 days

All suspensions originally reported by Kirik Jenness.