UFC
UFC 311 Medical Suspensions: Four Fighters Face Potential Six-Month Layoffs

The dust has settled on UFC 311, which took place on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. The event, featuring 13 bouts and 26 fighters, has left its mark not only on the rankings but also on the health of its competitors. In a recent development, the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) has released the official medical suspensions for the event, revealing that four fighters are potentially looking at an extended time away from the Octagon.
Potential Fractures Lead to Six-Month Suspensions
The most significant outcome of the medical evaluations is the six-month suspensions handed to four fighters. These lengthy layoffs are due to suspected fractures, highlighting the intense nature of the contests at UFC 311. The four fighters that had been handed six months were Bogdan Guskov, Jailton Almeida, Serghei Spivac, and Umar Nurmagomedov.
🚨| Umar Nurmagomedov has successfully undergone surgery on his broken hand suffered in his #UFC31 defeat to Merab Dvalishvili last weekend. pic.twitter.com/faxlD3309X
— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) January 23, 2025
These six-month suspensions are the maximum typically issued in such circumstances, reflecting the seriousness of potential fractures. However, it’s crucial to note that these suspensions are not necessarily set in stone. Fighters have the opportunity to return to competition earlier if they receive clearance from a physician, a common practice in the sport that allows for individual recovery rates to be taken into account.
The Importance of Medical Suspensions in MMA
Medical suspensions play a vital role in the world of mixed martial arts, serving as a protective measure for athletes who have just undergone the rigors of professional competition. These mandated rest periods are designed to give fighters adequate time to recover from injuries sustained during their bouts, ranging from minor bumps and bruises to more severe issues like the suspected fractures seen at UFC 311.
The CSAC’s involvement in issuing these suspensions underscores the commission’s commitment to fighter safety. By providing a full list of medical suspensions, the CSAC ensures transparency in the process and allows fighters, their teams, and the UFC to plan accordingly for future events and training camps.
It’s worth noting that while some suspensions are labeled as “mandatory” or “no exception,” many can be shortened if a fighter receives medical clearance. This flexibility in the system acknowledges the varying recovery times among athletes and the advances in medical treatments that can accelerate healing processes.
The aftermath of UFC 311 serves as a reminder of the physical demands placed on mixed martial artists. With four fighters potentially sidelined for up to six months, the event has left a significant impact on the UFC’s roster availability for the first half of 2025. Depending on the specific fighters involved and their standings within their respective divisions, these suspensions could potentially affect upcoming fight cards and title contention scenarios.
The medical suspensions following UFC 311 highlight the inherent risks of the sport and the ongoing efforts to protect its athletes. As we await further details on the specific fighters facing extended suspensions, the MMA world will continue to monitor their recovery progress and anticipate their eventual return to the Octagon. The balance between fierce competition and fighter safety remains a paramount concern in the ever-evolving landscape of mixed martial arts, with events like UFC 311 serving as crucial checkpoints in the ongoing dialogue about athlete welfare in combat sports.