Tuesday, April 26

Jon Jones Injury Update: UFC Star Reportedly May Face 6-Month Medical Suspension

MMA fighter Jon Jones is reportedly facing a possible six-month medical suspension and needs an X-ray on his left foot.

According to MMAFighting.com, Jones was one of 10 fighters who received potential six-month medical suspensions after UFC 197 on Saturday. The report cited "information released to MMA Fighting by the Nevada Athletic Commission on Tuesday."

The commission requested a left-foot X-ray for the fighter. MMAFighting.com reported Jones will be cleared to fight in UFC 200 on July 9 if that X-ray is negative. But it noted "if his X-ray comes back positive, Jones will have no choice but to receive orthopedic doctor's clearance or sit on the sideline for upward of six months."

Jones defeated Ovince Saint Preux at UFC 197 on Saturday via unanimous decision at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The victory gave Jones the UFC interim light heavyweight title, and MMAFighting.com noted he could headline UFC 200 against Daniel Cormier.

UFC.com shared a post-fight interview with Jones:

Jones wasn’t the only one to suffer a physical setback at the event. MMAFighting.com said nine additional fighters received possible six-month suspensions because of injuries:

However, Jones was the headliner, and his immediate future is now in doubt.

Brett Okamoto of ESPN.com said it was the fighter’s first appearance in the Octagon since he lost his official title after he was charged with a felony hit-and-run. He also received 18 months’ probation for the incident.

Although Jones won the fight against Saint Preux with relative ease, Okamoto noted he didn’t look like the unbeatable champion he was before he was stripped of his title. Still, he is riding a 13-match winning streak, and an enticing fight against Cormier looms depending on the result of his X-ray.

Jones was initially supposed to fight Cormier for the official title, but the latter had to pull out because of injury, which left Saint Preux only three weeks to prepare for UFC 197. Alas, UFC President Dana White said fans may get the chance to see the anticipated clash soon, per Okamoto: “If they are both healthy, yeah, it's a possibility that could be the main event for UFC 200.”

The key there is if they are both healthy, especially after this news released on Tuesday.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

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