UFC suspend Nate Diaz for 90 days over horrific cut as Jorge Masvidal is banned for 30 on medical grounds
NATE DIAZ has been handed a 90-day medical suspension following his loss to Jorge Masvidal at UFC 244 on Saturday.
The UFC star later appeared to have called time on his career in the Octagon - days after suffering a nasty eye injury.
The 34-year-old was forced out of his three-round war for the newly-formed BMF Title due to gruesome cuts suffered at the hands of Gamebred.
That forced doctors to intervene prior to the fourth starting, ensuring Masvidal claimed victory via technical knockout.
Now the New York State Athletic Commission has released the full medical suspensions to MMA Fighting for the card held at Madison Square Garden.
And Diaz was top of the list with a 90-day one – although he may be eligible to fight sooner if he gets medical clearance after receiving 25 stitches to repair the damage.
He said: “I’m a very good neurologist and a very good doctor, and calling me f***ing scum online and calling my office staff and yelling at them, threatening me, I fear for my health and safety.
“Somebody’s going to get hurt, and it’s probably going to be me this time.”
He continued: “Going forward off that third round, I could not guarantee his health and safety.
“When in doubt, you have to do what you have to do to protect the athlete’s safety. His health and safety comes first.
“Every action of mine has to be viewed with that foremost in everybody’s mind, but that doesn’t happen.
“You have a very, very charged crowd, and you just make it more charged.
“I was walking back [from the cage] and people from the top were yelling at me f*** this, f*** that.”
Masvidal has also been given a 30-day medical suspension following his triumph.
It remains unclear who his next opponent will be, but both men expressed their willingness for a rematch.