UFC 181 medical suspensions and injuries: Pettis, Trujillo and Rivera face six-month sits

Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) today issued its list of injuries and medical suspensions for the mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters who participated in UFC 181, which took place last Saturday night (Dec. 6, 2014) inside Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.

And there are a few hefty sentences.

Chief among them is Lightweight champion Anthony Pettis, who has earned a fragile reputation since winning the 155-pound belt back in Aug. 2013. He's only defended the strap once, which was this past weekend against Gilbert Melendez, who he submitted in the second round with a guillotine (watch highlights here).

"Showtime" suffered a hand injury somewhere along the way and will need to get it looked at before he attempts to win four matches in 2015. Fingers crossed.

In addition, former Welterweight champion, Johny Hendricks, will be forced to ride the pine during the holidays after his "tough" five-round rematch against Robbie Lawler in the pay-per-view (PPV) main event (watch highlights here). Let's just hope he avoids all that yummy gravy with his wild hog and organic deer meat.

That's not all.

Here is the full list of UFC 181 injuries and medical suspensions:

• Johny Hendricks -- Suspended until Jan. 6, 2015, and no contact until Dec. 28, 2014, because of a "tough fight."
• Anthony Pettis -- Suspended until June 6, 2015, because of a potential left hand injury unless a physician clears him to return sooner.
• Brendan Schaub -- Suspended until Feb. 5, 2015, and no contact until Jan. 21, 2015, because of an upper lip laceration.
• Todd Duffee -- Suspended until Jan. 6, 2015, and no contact until Dec. 28, 2014, because of a forehead laceration.
• Anthony Hamilton -- Suspended until Jan. 21, 2015, and no contact until Jan. 6, 2015, because of a forehead laceration.
• Tony Ferguson -- Suspended until Jan. 21, 2015, and no contact until Jan. 6, 2015, because of a forehead laceration.
• Abel Trujillo -- Suspended until June 6, 2015, because of a fractured nose unless a physician clears him to return sooner. He must serve a minimum suspension until Jan. 6, 2015, and no contact until Dec. 28, 2014.
• Francisco Rivera -- Suspended until June 6, 2015, because of an eye abrasion unless an ophthalmologist clears him to return sooner.
• Eddie Gordon -- Must receive post-concussive clearance from a neurologist before he can resume contact training. He must serve a minimum suspension until March 7, 2015, and no contact until Feb. 5, 2015.
• Raquel Pennington -- Suspended until Jan. 21, 2015, and no contact until Jan. 6, 2015, because of a forehead laceration.
• Sergio Pettis -- Suspended until Jan. 6, 2015, and no contact until Dec. 28, 2014.
• Matt Hobar -- Suspended until Jan. 6, 2015, and no contact until Dec. 28, 2014, because of a left eye hematoma.
• Clay Collard -- Suspended until June 6, 2015, because of a potential left forearm injury unless a physician clears him to return sooner. He must serve a minimum suspension until Jan. 6, 2015, and no contact until Dec. 28, 2014.
• Alexander White -- Suspended until Jan. 6, 2015, and no contact until Dec. 28, 2014, because of a 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. In addition, not all injuries are recorded during the post-fight examination and often times surface in follow-up tests.

For a complete wrap up of all the UFC 181 weekend festivities click here.