Tyron Woodley’s medical suspension extended to 180 days due to shoulder injury

Tyron Woodley’s next title defense probably won’t happen any time soon.

The UFC welterweight champion had his medical suspension extended Wednesday by the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) to 180 days due to a shoulder injury, the commission confirmed with MMA Fighting.

CSAC doctors initially suspended Woodley only the mandatory seven days after UFC 214 last Saturday, but upon getting more information decided to extend it. Woodley can come back sooner if cleared by an orthopedist. Without that, the suspension would end Jan. 25, 2018.

On Monday’s edition of The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Woodley said he tore his right labrum (or shoulder ligament). It prevented him from throwing overhand rights in his title defense against Demian Maia in the co-main event of the Anaheim, Calif., event, Woodley said.

Woodley won the fight against Maia by unanimous decision, retaining his title. He was criticized afterward by UFC president Dana White and others about the perceived lack of action in the bout. Woodley stopped more than 20 Maia takedown attempts, but was unable to finish the Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist. Woodley said that was partly owed to the shoulder tear, which he felt in the first round.