Conor McGregor has been slapped with a second successive 6-month medical suspension from fighting

• Conor McGregor has been hit with another six-month medical suspension.
• Medical suspensions are common in combat sports and designed to give athletes adequate recovery.
• It's the second time this year McGregor has been told he can't fight for half a year.

Conor McGregor has been slapped with a second successive six-month medical suspension from fighting.

The former two-weight UFC champion lost the first round of Saturday's UFC 264 lightweight match against Dustin Poirier, snapped his leg moments before the break, and was deemed in no fit state to continue.

Incensed at the result, McGregor yelled at Poirier while he had his foot strapped with his back against the Octagon fence. The Irishman could even be heard on video threatening to kill Poirier in his sleep.

Days after a 3.5-hour surgery, McGregor has been hit with a medical suspension.

These kinds of suspensions are commonplace in combat sports and designed to provide athletes with adequate rest between fights.

Mixed Martial Arts, the combat sport's record-keeper, said McGregor cannot compete again until January 7, 2022, unless he received clearance from an orthopedic doctor.

"McGregor needs orthopedic doctor clearance of [his] fractured left leg or no contest until January 7, 2022," a statement sent to Insider said.

The statement also said that a minimum suspension until August 25 is in effect, and McGregor is not permitted to engage in any contact training until August 10.

The fighter said recently that he expects to be on a crutch for at least six weeks.

The timeline of the suspension ties in with McGregor's plan to seek a fourth fight with Poirier, who is expected to vie for the UFC's lightweight championship against Charles Oliveira later this year.

Regardless of the result in that title fight, another McGregor and Poirier showdown could take place at some point in 2022.

This is McGregor's second long-term suspension this year

This is the second time McGregor has received this length of suspension this year, as Poirier brutally beat him by knockout in January on Fight Island, Abu Dhabi.

Poirier struck the Irishman against the fence and beat him to the floor, leaving him bloodied on the canvas by the second round inside the newly built Etihad Arena.

The catalyst for McGregor's downfall was an unrelenting kick to the calf that left him unable to walk properly.

Mixed Martial Arts sent Insider a statement at the time detailing medical suspensions for athletes competing at UFC 257, the final event of the UFC's two-week residency in the United Arab Emirates.

McGregor was told he could not compete for 180 days unless he received clearance from a doctor over his right tibia and fibula, pending an X-ray.

McGregor called the loss "heartbreaking."