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[Cat--Smasher]

UFC's Stann expects two-month recovery, open to Bisping or Belfort matchups

Brian Stann knows what to expect from his recent shoulder injury.

The grade II separation of his acromioclavicular (AC) joint is something he experienced – in both shoulders – during his high-school and collegiate football career.

So Stann, who recently pulled out of a UFC on FOX 4 headliner due to the right-shoulder injury – knows he can expect a six- to eight-week recovery.

"No surgery, luckily," Stann told FUEL TV during Friday's UFC on FX 3 pre-show. "Hopefully I can get this healed up as soon as possible and get my range of motion back.

"But for now, I can't even pick my arm up."

Stann (12-4 MMA, 6-3 UFC), a former WEC light-heavyweight champion, has moved into UFC middleweight title contention with a recent 4-1 run. Against Lombard, a UFC import who long reigned as Bellator's 185-pound champion, he had an opportunity to pick up a signature career victory on network television. But those plans were derailed during a recent training session when UFC heavyweight Shawn Jordan accidentally landed on Stann's shoulder during a scramble.

"It just happened, and my shoulder didn't really stand a chance," Stann said. "You could hear the crack right away. It's one of those feelings when you know you're hurt, and you know the difference when you're injured. Unfortunately, I was injured."

Stann hopes to return to light grappling in four to five weeks, though he'll have a better timeframe of when he can return to full training in six weeks.

While Lombard has been shifted to a UFC 149 matchup with Tim Boetsch, Stann simply wants a fellow contender when he returns to the cage. That includes fellow injured middleweights Vitor Belfort and Michael Bisping.

"I want to fight anyone who's ranked ahead of me," he said. "We want that belt. We all want to be champions.

"I'm fighting to be a champion, and in order to do that, you have to beat the guys ranked ahead of you to get closer to that title shot. I'd welcome a fight with either one of those guys."

UFC's Stann expects two-month recovery, open to Bisping or Belfort matchups | MMAjunkie.com

[IceCold48]

hope he comes back strong i would love to see either matchup.

[Qball1974]

Got goose bumps when I heard Belfort lol

[disposableassassin]

Both would be good match ups. Bisping beats him handily via superior footwork. The Belfort fight seems winnable as vitor doesn't have the best chin. It would all come down to Stan being able to survive a Belfort flurry to get inside and land.

[MIZjitsZOU]

Originally Posted by disposableassassin

Both would be good match ups. Bisping beats him handily via superior footwork. The Belfort fight seems winnable as vitor doesn't have the best chin. It would all come down to Stan being able to survive a Belfort flurry to get inside and land.

Handily? Superior footwork? I don't agree that bisping beats him handily.

I think he would rather fight bisping then belfort.

[disposableassassin]

Originally Posted by MIZJUDOZOU

Handily? Superior footwork? I don't agree that bisping beats him handily.

I think he would rather fight bisping then belfort.

I firmly believe that bisping will ride his bike and pick apart stann to a unanimous decision. Stann doesn't exactly present any threats other than striking so I see mike getting comfortable jabbing and picking stann to pieces. I agree though that stann would rather fight vitor a win does more for his standings and he IMO has at least a 50/50 shot at beating Belfort.

[Cat--Smasher]

Brian Stann Documents Shoulder Injury that Forced Him Out of UFC on Fox 4

According to the former Marine captain, it was one of those freak occurrences that just happens when working hard to get ready for a fight.

“Shawn Jordan and I were in the cage and he went for a hip throw and he landed on my shoulder, all 275 pounds of him. I think he slipped. He knows not to land on me. But it happened. And you know you could hear the crack right away. It’s one of those feelings were you know when you are hurt and when you are injured,” Stann explained when speaking to Fuel TV during the UFC on FX 3 broadcast.

What resulted was a separated shoulder, a particularly painful injury that can require surgery depending on the severity of how it happens. On the positive side for Stann while it does knock him out of the Aug 4 fight with Lombard, it won’t require him to go under the knife to repair the damage.

“It’s a grade-two separation of my right AC joint, which is what I am feeling right now. It’ll be six to eight weeks recovery, but no surgery, thankfully. Hopefully, I can heal this up real quick and get my full range of motion back. But, right now I can’t even pick my hand up,” said Stann.

The former WEC champion was coming back after a dominant performance over Alessio Sakara in his last trip to the Octagon, and looking to make another statement in the growing UFC middleweight title race.

Unfortunately for now, Stann will have to focus on rehab and getting healthy before he can return later this year.

His biggest mission now is to give his shoulder time to recover without pushing too hard and causing more damage that could keep him out even longer.

“You know, probably the biggest issue I am going to face now is trying to return too early,” Stann said. “I would like to get back in the gym and try to hit some pads in 4-5 weeks, but the doctors were very adamant that even at six weeks I am not going to be able to put the pressure on the shoulder to wrestle the way I should.

“I am trying to stay in shape using my other three limbs in the meantime.”

Brian Stann Documents Shoulder Injury that Forced Him Out of UFC on Fox 4 | MMAWeekly.com

[Y2JUBAE]

Stann dodges a KO bullet from Lombard.

[Rumble]

Originally Posted by MIZJUDOZOU

Handily? Superior footwork? I don't agree that bisping beats him handily.

I think he would rather fight bisping then belfort.

Yea, if it stays on the feet then Stann is in the fight and presents a threat at any given time. His footwork and hand speed have looked much better since he started training at Jackson's and with striking coach Manu Ntoh in Atlanta.

Although I do agree with disposableassassin, Bisping will get on his bike and stick and move his whole way to a UD.

[goodtimes]

Originally Posted by disposableassassin

I firmly believe that bisping will ride his bike and pick apart stann to a unanimous decision. Stann doesn't exactly present any threats other than striking so I see mike getting comfortable jabbing and picking stann to pieces. I agree though that stann would rather fight vitor a win does more for his standings and he IMO has at least a 50/50 shot at beating Belfort.

Bisping could not stand up to Stann's power. Also, since going to Jackson's camp Stann's footwork has been exceptional. Stann beats Bisping easily I think. Belfort would be a tougher fight, since they have similar styles but Belfort has more experience and is faster. Belfort absolutely merks Bisping imo.