UFC
UFC 144 Medical Suspensions: Ben Henderson, "Rampage" Jackson, Eiji Mitsuoka each out up to six months or until cleared
Mar 1, 2012 - 6:30:05 PM UFC 144 Medical Suspensions: Ben Henderson, "Rampage" Jackson, Eiji Mitsuoka each out up to six months or until cleared

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Nine fighters received received medical suspensions from the UFC following their bouts at UFC 144 in Japan last weekend, according to multiple published reports. Three of those fighters - Ben Henderson, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, and Eiji Mitsuoka - could be out up to six months unless they are cleared early by a physician.

The UFC served as the regulatory body for the event with no commission in Japan, so their in-house doctors were responsible for handing out the medical suspensions.

Henderson's lengthy suspension comes due to possible fractures to his hand and left foot following his five round Title-winning performance against Frankie Edgar. However, Henderson took to Twitter to say his hand felt fine and he's ready to fight whenever, so as soon as he's cleared by a doctor on those possible injuries he'll be good to go.

Rampage's suspension comes due to re-injuring his right knee during his loss to Ryan Bader in the night's co-main event. He had injured the knee in training, and revealed this week that he had undergone testosterone therapy in order to make it to the fight.

Mitsuoka is in the same boat as Henderson and Jackson due to a possible nasal fracture suffered in his loss to Takanori Gomi. He, too, can be cleared early by a doctor, but all three are out for a minimum of 45 days with no contact for 30 days regardless.

Five other fighters also received 45-day suspensions with no contact for 30 days for precautionary reasons. Those fighters were Frankie Edgar, Joe Lauzon, Yushin Okami, Cheick Kongo, and Tiequan Zhang. Additionally, Tim Boetsch received a 30 day suspension with no contact for 21 days.