American fighter Dominick Reyes is facing a 6-month medical suspension after his back-elbow KO loss

• Dominick Reyes got a six-month medical suspension after his recent knockout loss.
• Rising UFC star Jiri Prochazka brutally beat Reyes with a spinning back-elbow finish.
• "I love this game, and at times it doesn't love me back," Reyes said after his highlight-reel defeat.

American fighter Dominick Reyes is facing a six-month medical suspension after he suffered a knockout loss on Saturday at a behind-closed-doors UFC event in Las Vegas.

Reyes fought fast-rising light heavyweight fighter Jiri Prochazka at the Apex, but he was brutally knocked out in the second round by a spinning back elbow.

The finishing move will likely remain a front-runner for Knockout of the Year.

On Monday, MMA - the sport's official record keeper - sent Insider a list of medical suspensions from the weekend's UFC Fight Night show. Such medical suspensions are common for combat athletes who've recently fought, regardless of whether they won or lost. They're designed to allow sufficient recovery time from competition.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission, which regulated the UFC's event, told MMA that Reyes would be sidelined for a six-month period.

"Reyes must have bilateral nasal-bone fractures, right displaced orbital medial wall fracture, and left displaced orbital zygomatic arch fracture cleared by ENT [Ear, Nose, Throat] or OMF [Oral and maxillofacial] doctor, or no contest until 29 October 2021," the MMA notes said.

That means Reyes is not permitted to compete in combat sports until the end of the year unless he gets clearance from a medical professional. His minimum suspension will last until July 1, and he must not spar until June 16, the record keeper added.

Reyes posted a message on Instagram about his healing. The Saturday loss to Prochazka was his third in a row, since he was also beaten by Jan Blachowicz and Jon Jones.

"Finally home and surrounded by those I love, I'd like to say, I went out there and fought with all my heart," Reyes wrote.

"I love this game and at times it does not love me back," he added.

To Prochazka, Reyes offered a congratulations: "Hell of a fight and what an elbow! It's the ones you don't see coming that get you."

Prochazka, a power-punching Czech fighter, has only fought twice in the UFC so far but already looks extraordinary. The former Rizin star is on the cusp of a title shot at 205 pounds. He will likely await the result of the UFC 266 battle between Blachowicz and Glover Teixeira before formally challenging the winner.