While Kevin Lee apparently worked overtime to make sure his staph infection went unnoticed in the lead up to UFC 216, by the time the main event was over, most everyone watching (or at least watching at home) knew what was up. Joe Rogan pointed out the massive lesion on Lee’s chest during the broadcast, and Lee answered questions about it during the post-fight press conference.
“I feel like that was a huge factor,” Lee said in regards to his weight cut. “The staph infection didn’t really help. I have been fighting it for over a week now, and it didn’t make it easier.”
So it comes as something of a shock, then that Lee’s infection didn’t end up as part of his post-fight medical suspension from the commission. That shock is tempered somewhat by NAC Director Bob Bennett’s recent statements that the NAC’s “lead ringside physician found Lee medically fit to fight,” despite the infection. All of which raises questions about the commission’s seeming disregard for the danger that staph can pose.
The Nevada Athletic Commission recently released the list of UFC 216 suspensions. Here are the results:
Tony Ferguson – 3 week suspension for possible left corneal abrasion
Kevin Lee – 1 month suspension
Demetrious Johnson – No suspension
Ray Borg – 6 month suspension unless cleared by doctor for right 4th finger injury, minimum 1 month suspension/3 weeks no contact
Fabricio Werdum – No suspension
Walt Harris – No suspension
Mara Romero Borella – Must get MRI within 6 months
Kalindra Faria – No suspension
Beneil Dariush – No suspension
Evan Dunham – 6 month suspension unless cleared by doctor for blurred vision, minimum 2 month suspension/45 days no contact
Cody Stamann – 1 month suspension/3 weeks no contact
Tom Duquesnoy – 45 day suspension/1 month no contact
Lando Vannata – 2 month suspension/45 days no-contact
Bobby Green – 45 day suspension/1 month no contact
Poliana Botelho – 6 month suspension unless cleared by doctor for right elbow and right thumb injuries, minimum 1 month suspension/3 weeks no contact
Pearl Gonzalez – 1 month suspension/3 weeks no contact
Matt Schnell – 6 month suspension pending x-rays on right forearm and doctor’s clearance
Marco Beltran – 6 month suspension pending x-rays on left thumbs and doctor’s clearance, minimum 1 month suspension/3 weeks no contact
John Moraga – No suspension
Magomed Bibulatov – 45 day suspension/1 month no contact
Brad Tavares – No suspension
Thales Leites – 6 month suspension for possible right orbital fracture unless cleared by doctor, minimum 45 day suspension/1 month no contact
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