Bellator 220 medical suspensions: Rory MacDonald's mandatory 60 days raises questions

Bellator welterweight champion Rory MacDonald on Tuesday confirmed that he will fight Neiman Gracie in the grand prix semifinals on June 14 – a date that currently is blocked off, according to the California State Athletic Commission.

The CSAC, which regulated this past Saturday’s Bellator 220 in San Jose, handed MacDonald a mandatory 60-day suspension with 60 days no contact for a “facial cut on (his) right side,” per doctor’s notes issued after his majority draw against Jon Fitch. MacDonald also is subject to a potential 180-day suspension if he doesn’t receive medical clearance for an elbow injury.

Reached for comment about the mandatory 60 days, CSAC executive director Andy Foster confirmed the suspension is in effect. He declined additional comment on MacDonald competing at Bellator 222 on June 14 but added, “If he’s suspended, he’s suspended.”

When contacted by MMA Junkie, a Bellator official said the promotion is looking into the matter.

It’s a not uncommon for promotions to seek a medical exemption in the case of suspensions that conflict with fight bookings. UFC heavyweight Derrick Lewis received one to face champ Daniel Cormier at UFC 230 despite a suspension from the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

Five other Bellator 220 fighters drew potential six-month suspensions following the event for a variety of injuries: Veta Arteaga received one for a left knee injury and a 60-day term for a brutal cut; Adam Piccolotti has an orbital and nasal injury; ex-champ Liam McGeary has a fractured jaw; Matt Perez needs time off after a knockout; and Jordan Williams is benched with a fractured nose.

Here is the full list of medical suspensions from Bellator 220:

• Rory MacDonald: suspended 180 days or until cleared by a physician for a right lateral epicondyle injury; also suspended 60 days with 60 days no contact for facial cut on right side.
• Jon Fitch: suspended 60 days for scalp laceration and needs physician clearance.
• Ilima-Lei Macfarlane: suspended mandatory seven days.
• Veta Arteaga: suspended 180 days or until cleared by physician for left knee injury; also suspended 60 days with 60 days no contact for forehead laceration.
• Benson Henderson: suspended mandatory seven days.
• Adam Piccolotti: suspended 180 days or until cleared by a physician for nasal and orbital fracture; also suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact.
• Phil Davis: suspended mandatory seven days.
• Liam McGeary: suspended 180 days or until cleared by physician for  fractured jaw; also suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact for TKO.
• Gaston Bolanos: suspended mandatory seven days.
• Nathan Stolen: suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact for TKO.
• Eric Gunha: suspended mandatory seven days.
• Jonathan Adams: suspended mandatory seven days.
• Tom Oswald: suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact for hard bout.
• Jamario Mulder: suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact for hard bout.
• Chris Inocencio: suspended mandatory seven days.
• Boris Novachkov: suspended mandatory seven days.
• Ignacio Ortiz: suspended mandatory seven days.
• Roger Serverson: suspended mandatory seven days.
• Abraham Vaesau: suspended mandatory seven days.
• Justin Roswell: suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact for TKO.
• Jordan Williams: suspended 180 days or until cleared by physician and X-ray for fractured nose; also suspended 60 days with 60 days no contact.
• Diego Herzog: suspended 60 days with 60 days no contact for lacerations over left eyelid and nose.
• Brandon Laroco: suspended mandatory seven days.
• Josh San Diego: suspended mandatory seven days.
• Paradise Vaovasa: suspended mandatory seven days.
• Hyder Amil: suspended mandatory seven days.
• Chuck Campbell: suspended mandatory seven days.
• Bruno Casillas: suspended 60 days with 60 days no contact for laceration of lower lip; also suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact for KO.
• Cass Bell: suspended mandatory seven days.
• Peter Ishiguro: suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact for KO.
• Matt Perez: suspended 180 days by cageside physician
• Justin Tenedora: suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact for KO.
• Brandon Faumui: suspended mandatory seven days.
• Chris Avila: suspended mandatory seven days.
• Aviv Gozali: suspended mandatory seven days.
• Travis Crain: suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact for TKO.

For complete coverage of Bellator 220, check out the MMA Events section of the site.