Israel Adesanya could be forced to sit out for six months after his points defeat by Jan Blachowicz.
Adesanya, the UFC middleweight champion was bidding to become just the fifth fighter in the promotion’s history to hold two titles simultaneously.
But he was outpointed by light-heavyweight champion Blachowicz who was making the first defence of his title at UFC 259.
And Adesanya has now been told he needs an X-ray of his left foot and his ankle – and clearance by a doctor – before he can return to action.
If he is not cleared he will be suspended for six months and will have to sit out for 45 days regardless.
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Blachowicz has also been ordered to sit out for 30 days and to avoid contact for three weeks.
Adesanya intends to return to middleweight before the end of the year to defend his title and has no regrets over his step up.
“It didn’t go exactly the way I wanted it to go but dare to be great,” he said. “To the critics, you’re the ones on the sidelines but I’m the one putting it on the line.”
Asked if his weight was a factor after scaling five pounds under the 205lb limit, Adesanya added: “Never. Never. That was just my legs being fatigued.
“I don’t know what from but I will have to watch the tape. I knew what to do and I just didn’t do it. Size did play a factor but my technique could have been a lot finer.”
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