UFC 322 Delivers Brutal Action and Lengthy Medical Bans
The aftermath of UFC 322 has resulted in significant medical suspensions for several fighters, with former welterweight champion Leon Edwards among those facing a lengthy 90-day layoff. The event, which took place at Madison Square Garden in New York this past weekend, was a night of dramatic finishes and punishing battles.
Champions Triumph as Contenders Fall
In the main event, Islam Makhachev achieved a historic milestone, dominating Jack Della Maddalena to become a two-division UFC champion. The co-main event saw champion Valentina Shevchenko successfully defend her flyweight title against a game Zhang Weili.
While the champions emerged relatively unscathed, the same cannot be said for the losers on the main card. Sean Brady suffered a shocking first-round knockout defeat to Michael Morales. In a particularly devastating turn, the main card opener saw Benoit Saint Denis knock out Beneil Dariush in just 16 seconds.
The Cost of Combat: Medical Suspensions Announced
The New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) has issued medical suspensions as a standard precautionary measure following the event's violent conclusions.
Leon Edwards, Sean Brady, and Beneil Dariush have each been handed 90-day suspensions. Crucially, all three will require neurology clearance from a doctor before they are permitted to compete again. This mandate typically follows a knockout loss and is designed to protect fighter health.
Rodolfo Vieira, who was knocked out on the preliminary card by Bo Nickal, also received a 90-day suspension. Zhang Weili faces a 30-day ban and must also get clearance from a primary care provider. The champions and Jack Della Maddalena were given only brief medical suspensions.
It is important to note that while these bans are official, fighters can often return to action sooner if they receive medical clearance before the suspension period ends.
Rocky's Road Gets Rougher
For Birmingham's Leon Edwards, the loss marks his third consecutive defeat inside the octagon. The former champion showed glimpses of his old self, controlling the first round against Carlos Prates with effective grappling and leg kicks.
However, just over a minute into the second round, a straight left from Prates sent Edwards to the canvas, ending the fight. This setback continues a difficult period for 'Rocky' since he lost his welterweight title to Belal Muhammad in July 2024, which was followed by a submission loss to Sean Brady at UFC London.
When asked about Edwards' future, UFC President Dana White commented, "That was a rough one tonight. I don't know [where he goes from here]. Leon will go home and take some time off. And then we'll get back with him and see what he's thinking and we'll see where his head is at and go from there."
White added, "I have no idea [if his best days are behind him]. There was a lot of buzz on this card. And you know why? Because every one of these fights was badass tonight."
The lengthy medical suspensions ensure that these defeated warriors will have ample time to recover physically and mentally before considering their next steps in the demanding world of mixed martial arts.
