UFC 328 delivered an unforgettable night of action, but the aftermath reveals the brutal toll these battles exacted on the athletes. Following the event at Newark's Prudential Center, an eye-opening 11 fighters have been handed indefinite medical suspensions by the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board.
The evening's main event and both co-main event participants headline the list of sidelined warriors. Sean Strickland, who went to war in the headliner, faces an indefinite suspension until his left hand receives clearance from an orthopedist, alongside a 45-day suspension with 30 days of no contact. Co-main event stars Joshua Van and Tatsuro Taira also drew indefinite suspensions—Van for a left hand injury requiring orthopedic clearance, and Taira pending a CT head scan cleared by a physician, plus a hefty 90-day suspension with 60 days of no contact following his TKO loss.
The medical report reads like a battle diary from a grueling campaign. Khamzat Chimaev escaped with a relatively light 45-day suspension and 30 days no contact, while Waldo Cortes-Acosta sits out 30 days with 15 days no contact for a left periorbital laceration. Jeremy Stephens faces an indefinite suspension until his groin injury is cleared, and Ozzy Diaz must wait for ophthalmologist clearance on his right eye alongside a 60-day knockout-related suspension.
Lower on the card, Grant Dawson's right tibia injury requires an X-ray and orthopedic clearance before he can return, while Mateusz Rebecki needs physician approval for a left lateral orbit laceration. Even veteran Jim Miller wasn't spared, earning an indefinite suspension for a left-side issue. Joaquin Buckley rounds out the list with a 30-day suspension and 21 days no contact.
The good news for fight fans: these suspensions can be lifted early if a medical professional clears the fighter to compete. For now, it's a stark reminder that every punch, kick, and submission attempt in the Octagon carries real consequences—and that the athletes who entertain us pay a heavy price for our excitement.