UFC 137 Medical Suspensions: B.J. Penn, Nick Diaz Sidelined After Brawl

As expected, the list of official medical suspensions for UFC 137 was released by the Nevada State Athletic Commission on Monday. Despite a card that featured just three finishes, an astounding ten fighters were among those suspended, including welterweight headliners B.J. Penn and Nick Diaz. MMA Junkie first reported the news.

Both Penn and Diaz received precautionary suspensions after their exhilarating main event brawl. The already-retired Penn must hold any comeback aspirations until December 29th, while Diaz is disallowed from contact until November 20th. 

Undercard winners Bart Palaszewski and Brandon Vera received the steepest penalty, both being suspended until April 28th due to various injuries incurred on Saturday night. Palaszewski suffered a broken hand after his thunderous knockout of Tyson Griffin, while Vera felt the brunt of a left-elbow ligament tear during a late third-round Eliot Marshall armbar attempt.

Official UFC 137 medical suspensions:

Nick Diaz: Suspended until Nov. 29 with no contact until Nov. 20 for precautionary reasons

B.J. Penn: Suspended until Dec. 29 with no contact until Dec. 14 for precautionary reasons

Matt Mitrione: Suspended until Dec. 14 with no contact until No. 29 for precautionary reasons

Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic: Suspended until Dec. 14 with no contact until No. 29 for precautionary reasons

George Roop: Suspended until Dec. 14 with no contact until Nov. 29 due to lacerations

Dennis Siver: Suspended until Dec. 14 with no contact until No. 29 for precautionary reasons

Tyson Griffin: Suspended until Dec. 14 with no contact until No. 29 for precautionary reasons

Bart Palaszewski: Suspended until April 28 due a possible right-hand break, though he can be cleared early by an orthopedic doctor; regardless, suspended until Dec. 14 with no contact until Nov. 29 for precautionary reasons

Brandon Vera: Suspended until April 28 due a left-elbow ligament tear, though he can be cleared early by an orthopedic doctor; regardless, suspended until Dec. 14 with no contact until Nov. 29 for precautionary reasons

Danny Downes: Suspended until Nov. 29 with no contact until Nov. 20 due to lacerations