Former flyweight champ Johnson medically suspended

Former flyweight champ Johnson medically suspended

Demetrious Johnson tore the lateral collateral ligament in his right knee.

Demetrious Johnson is the former UFC flyweight champion. (Reuters pic)
SACRAMENTO:
Former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson was indefinitely suspended by the California State Athletic Commission on Tuesday after reporting a knee injury.

The news means Johnson, who was originally suspended for the mandatory minimum of seven days, will need to be cleared by a doctor before the commission will lift the medical suspension.

Johnson, 32, said he sustained a “high-grade” tear of the lateral collateral ligament in his right knee during a split-decision loss to Henry Cejudo in their title fight at UFC 227 on August 4.

Johnson suggested during a Monday appearance on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show that he will not need surgery and could be healthy within six weeks.

“Typically (a) Grade 3 (tear), you need surgery,” Johnson said. “Grade 2 is six weeks off and rehab. It’s feeling like a Grade 2 because I’ve had a tear in my left LCL before.”

The defeat to Cejudo broke a 13-bout winning streak for Johnson (27-3-1 MMA, 15-2-1 UFC), including a record 11 consecutive title defences since he claimed the inaugural flyweight belt in September 2012 at UFC 152. He had not lost a fight since October 2011.

Some expected an immediate rematch between the two fighters, but Johnson opted to take some time before making any decisions about what’s next.

Stay current - Follow FMT on WhatsApp, Google news and Telegram

Subscribe to our newsletter and get news delivered to your mailbox.