WSOF 3 medical suspensions: Headliners Burkman, Fitch among nine given terms

A total of nine fighters have been issued medical suspensions following their fights at this past weekend’s World Series of Fighting 3 event – including main event fighters Josh Burkman and Jon Fitch.

Burkman, who pulled a big upset by choking onetime UFC welterweight title challenger Fitch unconscious in just 41 seconds, drew a 90-day suspension and must have the middle finger on his right hand x-rayed and cleared before he returns to action.

And Fitch will be on the shelf for 45 days thanks to a cut on his right eyebrow that he sustained in an exchange with Burkman just before Burkman caught him in a guillotine choke that wound up ending the fight. The bout created controversy when Burkman went to the ground with the choke applied, felt Fitch go limp and go out, released the hold on his own, rolled Fitch over and stood up to celebrate – before referee Steve Mazzagatti was in to check on Fitch and shut it down on his own.

WSOF 3 took place at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The event’s main card aired live on NBC Sports Network following prelims that streamed at MMAjunkie.com.

The longest potential suspensions were given to Brian Cobb, Jeff Smith, Lyle Beerbohm and Kendrick Minee. All of them received terms of 180 days – though those can be greatly reduced with doctor clearance.

The full list of suspensions includes:

• Josh Burkman: Suspended 90 days and must have middle finger on right hand x-rayed and cleared by doctor
• Jon Fitch: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days for right eyebrow laceration
• Tyson Steele: Suspended 21 days with no contact for 14 days
• Brian Cobb: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days; additionally, must have left knee cleared by doctor or no contest for 180 days
• Jeff Smith: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days; additionally, must have right ribs and nose cleared by doctors or no contest for 180 days
• Lyle Beerbohm: Must have right foot x-rayed and cleared by doctor or no contest for 180 days
• Joe Murphy: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days for right knee pain
• Kendrick Miree: Must have left foot x-rayed and cleared by doctor or no contest for 180 days
• Richard Montalvo: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days for left cheek laceration

For more coverage of WSOF 3, including an event recap, check out the MMA Events section of the site.

(Pictured: Jon Fitch)