When Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) heavyweight Roy Nelson was suspended nine months and fined $24,000 by the Brazilian Superior Justice Court of MMA (STJDMMA) for kicking referee John McCarthy at UFC Fight Night 95 for not stopping his knockout finish over Antonio Silva sooner, few mixed martial arts (MMA) fans were surprised. After all, the Octagon has never seen a fighter take physical action against a referee for a late stoppage. Luckily, Nelson was given the opportunity to lower his suspension if he formally apologized to all parties, doing so earlier today (Fri., Dec. 2, 2016) in front of reporters in Las Vegas.
“First I’d like to apologize to the fans who make our sport,” said Nelson (h/t MMA Fighting). “To the Brazilian commission, John McCarthy and the rest of the world, my team and especially my family for my actions in my last fight.
“My actions were out of character. I have nothing against anyone, including John McCarthy. I recognize what I did was a mistake and I was wrong. I can’t apologize enough to John McCarthy, to the commission, and to MMA fans around the world. I can’t wait to get back into the Octagon to entertain the fans.”
Nelson, 40, recorded just his first knockout victory since 2014 when he ended “Bigfoot” at UFC Fight Night 95. While the heavyweight veteran wants to make his return to the cage as soon as possible, MMA Fighting reports he’ll have to wait another week for the STJDMMA’s decision on a possible suspension reduction.