Israel Adesanya hit with six-month suspension after Jan Blachowicz defeat

 Israel Adesanya could be forced to sit out for six months after his points defeat by Jan Blachowicz.

Adesanya, the UFC middleweight champion was bidding to become just the fifth fighter in the promotion's history to hold two titles simultaneously.

But he was outpointed by light-heavyweight champion Blachowicz who was making the first defence of his title at UFC 259.

And Adesanya has now been told he needs an X-ray of his left foot and his ankle - and clearance by a doctor - before he can return to action.

If he is not cleared he will be suspended for six months and will have to sit out for 45 days regardless.

Blachowicz has also been ordered to sit out for 30 days and to avoid contact for three weeks.

Adesanya intends to return to middleweight before the end of the year to defend his title and has no regrets over his step up.

"It didn't go exactly the way I wanted it to go but dare to be great," he said. "To the critics, you're the ones on the sidelines but I'm the one putting it on the line."

Asked if his weight was a factor after scaling five pounds under the 205lb limit, Adesanya added: "Never. Never. That was just my legs being fatigued.

"I don’t know what from but I will have to watch the tape. I knew what to do and I just didn't do it. Size did play a factor but my technique could have been a lot finer."

Blachowicz, meanwhile, revelled in upsetting the odds - and the experts' predictions.

"I proved that I'm a true champion," he said. "Always, when you win the fight, it’s an amazing feeling but right now, because I won against someone like Israel, one of the best in the world, [and] now he’s got 20-1, so he’s going to remember me until the end of his life

"I'm the first one to defeat him in MMA, it tastes much better. It's amazing.

"I defended my belt. Now I proved that I'm a true champion. Now, I think I'm going to have respect from everybody. In the next fight, I don't think I’m going to be an underdog."

Reference: Mirror: Martin Domin  2 days ago