California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) handed out 24 medical suspensions in the aftermath of a violent UFC 331 card this past weekend (Sat., Sept. 19, 2026) inside Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California.
Five fighters were slapped with potential six-month suspensions following their respective bouts, including Alonzo Menifield, who suffered a gruesome thumb injury in the first round of his fight against Iwo Baraniewski.
Menifield somehow continued fighting for another two rounds and escaped with a split decision victory; however, by the end of the bout, his mangled digit was in extremely bad shape (check it out here). The veteran Light Heavyweight must now have his compound left thumb fracture cleared by a physician or remain sidelined for 180 days.
Casey O’Neill, who is now one of the frontrunners for “Submission of the Year” thanks to her sick helicopter armbar (watch it) over Eduarda Moura, must also receive medical clearance for a possible left knee fracture.
Robelis Despaigne, Edmen Shahbazyan and Joanderson Brito round out the group of five fighters facing six months on the sidelines.
Surprisingly, neither the champion nor former champion in the main event received a long-term suspension following their back-and-forth “Fight of the Night” battle. Joshua Van escaped with only the mandatory seven-day suspension, while Alexandre Pantoja received 60 days because of a laceration above his left eyebrow.
Complete UFC 331 medical suspensions (courtesy of MMA Junkie) below:
- Joshua Van: Mandatory seven-day suspension.
- Alexandre Pantoja: Suspended 45 days with 30 days of no contact because of a hard bout; also suspended 60 days with 60 days of no contact unless a physician clears the laceration above his left eyebrow.
- Arman Tsarukyan: Suspended 45 days with 30 days of no contact because of a hard bout; also subject to the mandatory seven-day suspension.
- Mauricio Ruffy: Suspended 45 days with 30 days of no contact; also suspended 60 days with 60 days of no contact unless the laceration near his right eye is cleared by a physician.
- Patricio “Pitbull” Freire: Mandatory seven-day suspension.
- Doo Ho Choi: Suspended 45 days with 30 days of no contact; also suspended 60 days with 60 days of no contact unless his right eye laceration is cleared by a physician, along with the mandatory seven-day suspension.
- Sean Sharaf: Mandatory seven-day suspension.
- Gable Steveson: Suspended 45 days with 30 days of no contact because of his knockout loss; also subject to the mandatory seven-day suspension.
- Alonzo Menifield: Suspended 180 days with 180 days of no contact unless a physician clears a possible left thumb fracture; also suspended 45 days with 30 days of no contact because of a hard bout, along with the mandatory seven-day suspension.
- Iwo Baraniewski: Suspended 45 days with 30 days of no contact because of a hard bout; also subject to the mandatory seven-day suspension.
- Charles Jourdain: Suspended 45 days with 30 days of no contact because of his technical knockout loss; also subject to the mandatory seven-day suspension.
- Marlon Vera: Mandatory seven-day suspension.
- Tai Tuivasa: Mandatory seven-day suspension.
- Robelis Despaigne: Suspended 180 days with 180 days of no contact unless possible injuries to his right thumb and left triceps are cleared by a physician; also subject to the mandatory seven-day suspension.
- Michael Aswell: Mandatory seven-day suspension.
- Joo Sang Yoo: Suspended 45 days with 30 days of no contact because of a hard bout; also subject to the mandatory seven-day suspension.
- Ozzy Diaz: Suspended 45 days with 30 days of no contact because of his knockout loss; also subject to the mandatory seven-day suspension.
- Ryan Gandra: Mandatory seven-day suspension.
- Brunno Ferreira: Suspended 60 days with 60 days of no contact unless his left eye laceration is cleared by a physician; also subject to the mandatory seven-day suspension.
- Edmen Shahbazyan: Suspended 180 days with 180 days of no contact unless a possible right foot fracture is cleared by a physician; also subject to the mandatory seven-day suspension.
- Casey O’Neill: Suspended 180 days with 180 days of no contact unless a possible left knee fracture is cleared by a physician; also subject to the mandatory seven-day suspension.
- Eduarda Moura: Mandatory seven-day suspension.
- Joanderson Brito: Suspended 180 days with 180 days of no contact unless a possible right knee fracture is cleared by a physician; also subject to the mandatory seven-day suspension.
- Giga Chikadze: Suspended 45 days with 30 days of no contact because of his knockout loss; also subject to the mandatory seven-day suspension.
As always, a six-month medical suspension does not necessarily mean a fighter will be sidelined for the entire period. Menifield and the other injured athletes can return sooner if the appropriate physician examines their injuries and clears them to compete.
In addition, not every injury is discovered during the initial post-fight examination and additional issues can surface during follow-up testing.
