Rory MacDonald likely to require surgery for broken nose

A loss to Stephen Thompson at UFC Fight Night 89 on Saturday saw Rory MacDonald suffer a broken nose for the second time in as many trips to the Octagon.

MacDonald was making his return after recovering from the initial injury, sustained in a July 2015 in a fifth-round TKO loss to Robbie Lawler. It appears likely that he'll be forced to undergo surgery this time around.

"I broke it actually a couple times before this fight," MacDonald said at the postfight press conference, according to Damon Martin of FOX Sports. "I have no idea. I gave it time, it kept breaking. I don't know if surgery's going to be the best route. I really just have to take time and at least I'd probably look into surgery, see if that can make it stronger because just time off didn't do s---."

A timeline for MacDonald's return should become more clear when he can weigh his medical options. Either way, the welterweight contender may be headed for another extended absence.

"My nose needs surgery," MacDonald added. "I'm going to need some time."

The second consecutive defeat drops MacDonald's career record to 18-4. His UFC contract also came to an end with the conclusion of Saturday's bout, and there has yet to be an indication as to whether the two sides are close to another deal.