Santos will be sidelined indefinitely following a brutal
knockout loss at
Most Valuable Promotions “Rousey vs. Carano” this past
Saturday.
The former
UFC heavyweight king was stopped by Robelis
Despaigne 2:59 into the opening round of their main card bout
at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. It was dos Santos’ first
appearance since winning the Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA heavyweight
crown with a stoppage of Alan
Belcher in March 2024. As a result of the knockout, “Cigano”
will need neurological clearance before he can return to active
competition. At a minimum, he is suspended 45 days with 30 days no
contact.
Robelis
Despaigne JUST SLEPT Junior dos
Santos IN ROUND 1 🔥#RouseyCarano
is LIVE now only on Netflix 👊 pic.twitter.com/07RpIS7wSQ— Netflix Sports (@netflixsports)
May 17, 2026
The California State Athletic Commission recently released a full
list of medical suspensions from the event. Everyone on the card —
including main event competitors Ronda
Rousey and Gina Carano
— received at least a seven-day mandatory suspension.
Two other fighters from MVP “Rousey vs. Carano” received six-month
terms, pending medical clearance: Nate Diaz
(possible left finger fracture) and Jefferson
Creighton (left knee pain).
MVP ‘Rousey vs. Carano’ Medical Suspensions
Nate
Diaz: 180-day suspension or cleared by a physician for possible
fracture to left hand finger. 60-day suspension or cleared by a
physician for lacerations to scalp and forehead. 45-day suspension
with 30 days no contact without exception.
Mike
Perry: 45-day suspension, 30 days no contact
Philipe
Lins: 45-day suspension, 30 days no contact
Kenneth
Cross: 45 day suspension, 30 days no contact
Junior dos
Santos: Indefinite suspension pending neurological clearance.
45 day suspension, 30 days no contact without exception
Jake
Babian: 60-day suspension or cleared by a physician for
laceration to left side of his head. 45-day suspension, 30 days no
contact
Phumi
Nkuta: 45-day suspension, 30 days no contact
Jefferson
Creighton: 180 day suspension or cleared by an orthopedist for
left knee pain. 45 day suspension, 30 days no contact
Albert
Morales: 45-day suspension, 30 days no contact