UFC 156 medical suspension and injuries: Frankie Edgar faces possible six month layoff

The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) today issued its list of medical suspensions for UFC 156: "Aldo vs. Edgar," which took place on Sat., Feb. 2, 2013, from the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Considering the damage sustained by a handful of fighters on the pay-per-view (PPV) main card, it should come as no surprise to see the extensive list of competitors who were flagged for follow up visits to their doctors.

That includes headliner Frankie Edgar, who took five rounds of punishment in his main event title fight opposite Jose Aldo. "The Answer" could be riding the pine for up to six months pending a doctor's clearance, as could Francisco Rivera, who got busted up by Edwin Figueroa.

In case you were wondering, Alistair Overeem got sat for a month-and-a-half after getting KTFO by "Bigfoot" Silva.

Here is the complete list of UFC 156 injuries and their medical instructions:

Frankie Edgar: Must have facial CT scan to rule out a left orbital fracture. If the CT scan is positive, then he must gain clearance by a maxilla-facial doctor or he is suspended until Aug. 2, 2013. He faces a minimum suspension until April 4 with no contact prior to March 20.

Antonio Rogerio Nogueira: Needs clearance by an ophthalmologist before his next fight due to a right eye injury.

Antonio Silva: Suspended until March 5 with no contact prior to Feb. 24 due to a chin laceration.

Alistair Overeem: Suspended until March 20 with no contact prior to March 5.

Joseph Benavidez: Suspended until Feb. 24 with no contact prior to Feb. 17 due to a forehead laceration.

Evan Dunham: Must have right orbital blowout fracture cleared by an ophthalmologist or plastic surgeon or he is suspended until Aug. 2. He faces a minimum suspension until April 4 with no contact prior to March 20.

Gleison Tibau: Suspended until Feb. 24 with no contact prior to Feb. 17.

Jay Hieron: Suspended until April 4 with no contact prior to March 20.

Jacob Volkmann: Suspended until March 5 with no contact prior to Feb. 24 due to right eye contusion.

Yves Edwards: Suspended until March 5 with no contact prior to Feb. 24 due to left eye laceration.

Chico Camus: Suspended until Feb. 24 with no contact prior to Feb. 17.

Francisco Rivera: Must have right hand/wrist x-rayed. If x-ray is positive, then he needs clearance by an orthopedic doctor or he is suspended until Aug. 2. He faces a minimum suspension until March 20 with no contact prior to March 5.

Edwin Figueroa: Suspended until Feb. 24 with no contact prior to Feb. 27 due to left eye laceration.

Just a quick reminder: Fighters often return to action much quicker once doctors give them the green light. The lengthy suspensions are just a precaution in most cases.

For a complete wrap up of all the UFC 156 fight weekend festivities click here.