Chad Mendes told Joe Rogan after his unanimous decision win over Rani Yahya that he felt his hand "pop" at some point in the first round of their featherweight fight at UFC 133: "Evans vs. Ortiz 2."

"Money," however, was notably absent from the UFC 133 medical suspensions, which the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission (PSAC) released earlier today. It appeared to be a positive sign that perhaps the injury was perhaps not as serious as initially suspected.

Mendes did indeed see a doctor and detailed the prognosis via Twiiter:

"Nothin is broken but I do have torn/sprained ligaments in my hand n ankle. Still great news tho! Should be fine in a few weeks!

Great news indeed.

Despite the dreadful three-round fight against Yahya, an extremely dangerous Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist, Mendes is the number one 145-pound contender. And the undefeated (11-0) Team Alpha Male-trained fighter put that status on the line without reservation rather than wait for division champion, Jose Aldo, to determine his health.

Risky.

In the meantime, two-time 155-pound number one contender, Kenny Florian, leapfrogged Mendes and is set to challenge "Scarface" for his world title at UFC 136: "Edgar vs. Maynard 3," which is scheduled for Oct. 8, 2011, in Houston, Texas.

That's more than enough time for Mendes to heal and be ready to fight the winner later this year or early next.

To check out the Mendes-Yahya UFC 133 fight recap, which took place at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pa., on Aug. 6, 2011, click here.