The hammer has come down on former Pride champion and MMA legend Wanderlei Silva. The Nevada State Athletic Commission has banned Silva for life from MMA and handed down a sizable $70,000 fine. He was called before the commission in regard to an incident in May where he reportedly ran away from a Nevada State Athletic Commission representative […]
The hammer has come down on former Pride champion and MMA legend Wanderlei Silva. The Nevada State Athletic Commission has banned Silva for life from MMA and handed down a sizable $70,000 fine. He was called before the commission in regard to an incident in May where he reportedly ran away from a Nevada State Athletic Commission representative […]
Today was Judgement Day for a trio of misbehaving UFC stars, as the Nevada State Athletic Commission held a disciplinary hearing today to address the infamous Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormiermedia day brawl in August, as well as Wanderlei Silva‘s equally-infamous dodging of a random drug test in May. Let’s get the important stuff out of the way first — the punishments:
– Jon Jones was fined $50,000 for his role in the brawl, which is 10% of his disclosed purse for his upcoming fight against Cormier in January. He will also be required to complete 40 hours of community service in Las Vegas; Jones is not psychedabout that part, as he feels it will impact his training for the fight.
– Daniel Cormier was fined $9,000, which is 10% of his disclosed purse for his upcoming fight against Jones. Cormier will be required to complete 20 hours of community service in his hometown of San Jose, CA. The Nevada Commission felt that Cormier had less responsibility in the brawl — despite the fact that Cormier made first contact — and gave DC a smaller community service requirement as a result.
Today was Judgement Day for a trio of misbehaving UFC stars, as the Nevada State Athletic Commission held a disciplinary hearing today to address the infamous Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormiermedia day brawl in August, as well as Wanderlei Silva‘s equally-infamous dodging of a random drug test in May. Let’s get the important stuff out of the way first — the punishments:
– Jon Jones was fined $50,000 for his role in the brawl, which is 10% of his disclosed purse for his upcoming fight against Cormier in January. He will also be required to complete 40 hours of community service in Las Vegas; Jones is not psychedabout that part, as he feels it will impact his training for the fight.
– Daniel Cormier was fined $9,000, which is 10% of his disclosed purse for his upcoming fight against Jones. Cormier will be required to complete 20 hours of community service in his hometown of San Jose, CA. The Nevada Commission felt that Cormier had less responsibility in the brawl — despite the fact that Cormier made first contact — and gave DC a smaller community service requirement as a result.
Here’s what else you missed, if you didn’t watch the Fight Pass stream…
Jon Jones claimed that his brawl with Cormier cost him a six-figure sponsorship with Nike, as well as another potential six-figure sponsorship that he and his lawyer wouldn’t name. Cormier said that some of the kids in his wrestling program left because of the brawl. Advantage: Jones.
Jones apologized to the commission, to the fans and to the sports of wrestling, Muay Thai, jiu-jitsu and boxing as well as the “great sport of MMA.”
Jones told the commission that he had planned to make forehead to forehead contact with Cormier that he had made with other fighters Rashad Evans, Brandon Vera and others. He said that when Cormier touched his throat he felt he had to respond to show he was still champion.
Jones said his howl after the brawl was an instinctive, primal gesture, not a planned action. He said he was feeding off the excitement of the crowd and their enthusiasm for the brawl…
Another commissioner pointed out the absence of Dana White might have played a role and that the UFC learned that “a real presence” is required…
(Underhooks, Sholler! Like we did in practice!)
Commissioner Brady asked for mercy for Jones due to his having already lost one of his fights this year due to injury…
The commissioners said they are “pissed off” at the outcome of “the last time we tried to do something non-traditional” which presumably refers to attempts to use Chael Sonnen as an advisor on drug testing and testosterone replacement issues…
Cormier then appeared before the commission. His attorney said the NSAC was under pressure from the media due to the “non-sporting event actions of athletes” and he pointed out that “this is not a domestic violence situation, not a drunken driving situation and not a brawl between a professional athlete and a non-professional. Rather it was a brawl at an event designed to promote a fight.”
Cormier’s attorney says that he is standing by his filing that the brawl was a self-defense action on Cormier’s part and that his client is not at fault…
One of the commissioners asked Cormier what he could have done differently. Cormier said he could have taken a step back. [Ed. note: Like a punk?? Nah, son.]
Cormier told the commission that he was surprised by the intensity of the stare down because he and Jones had been cordial backstage before the stare down.
“The incident between Jones and Cormier will not be on the agenda for the commission meeting this month,” NSAC Executive Director Bob Bennett told MMAjunkie yesterday. “If and when it does, I will let you know.”
Directly following the brawl, NSAC chair Francisco Aguilar wrote, “It’s too premature for us to comment, considering we were not there. Upon review of the video and follow up questions, we can make an assessment.” Ten days later, it’s apparently still too premature to comment; they must be super-busy over there. Still, I guess taking no action is better than immediately firing a guy before even looking at the tape.
With Jones vs. Cormier now postponed to January, this would have been the perfect opportunity for the NSAC to give the fighters an utterly meaningless four-month suspension that would expire before the fight was scheduled. But they’re not even doing that. Like I said before, being a superstar with a fight coming up makes you untouchable.
“The incident between Jones and Cormier will not be on the agenda for the commission meeting this month,” NSAC Executive Director Bob Bennett told MMAjunkie yesterday. “If and when it does, I will let you know.”
Directly following the brawl, NSAC chair Francisco Aguilar wrote, “It’s too premature for us to comment, considering we were not there. Upon review of the video and follow up questions, we can make an assessment.” Ten days later, it’s apparently still too premature to comment; they must be super-busy over there. Still, I guess taking no action is better than immediately firing a guy before even looking at the tape.
With Jones vs. Cormier now postponed to January, this would have been the perfect opportunity for the NSAC to give the fighters an utterly meaningless four-month suspension that would expire before the fight was scheduled. But they’re not even doing that. Like I said before, being a superstar with a fight coming up makes you untouchable.
Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier could both face penalties following a fight that broke out in the MGM Grand lobby on Monday at a media event for UFC 178. Everything started with a customary staredown to promote one of the year’s biggest title fights before escalating into thrown punches, flying set pieces and a massive […]
Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier could both face penalties following a fight that broke out in the MGM Grand lobby on Monday at a media event for UFC 178. Everything started with a customary staredown to promote one of the year’s biggest title fights before escalating into thrown punches, flying set pieces and a massive […]
It should be pointed out that the NSAC’s ability to fine Sonnen for competing in a grappling competition in California is still a major point of contention. Earlier this month, Sonnen’s lawyer Ross Goodman sent NSAC chairman Francisco Aguilar a letter explaining why a jiu-jitsu competition doesn’t fall under the commission’s jurisdiction:
“The term ‘unarmed combat’ is defined in NRS 467.0107 as ‘boxing or any form of competition in which a blow is usually struck which may reasonably be expected to inflict injury. There is no dispute that the NSAC has no jurisdiction or authority to regulate, license or sanction jiu-jitsu and other forms of grappling. Moreover, jiu-jitsu does not fall within the Nevada definition of unarmed combat because it does not involve “blows” of any kind. Likewise, it would be a violation of due process to expand the interpretation of ‘fighting’ broader than the statutory definition of unarmed combat…
(Galvao may have the accolades, but he’s never dealt with an elite-level oil-check artist like Sonnen. /Photo via Sherdog)
It should be pointed out that the NSAC’s ability to fine Sonnen for competing in a grappling competition in California is still a major point of contention. Earlier this month, Sonnen’s lawyer Ross Goodman sent NSAC chairman Francisco Aguilar a letter explaining why a jiu-jitsu competition doesn’t fall under the commission’s jurisdiction:
“The term ‘unarmed combat’ is defined in NRS 467.0107 as ‘boxing or any form of competition in which a blow is usually struck which may reasonably be expected to inflict injury. There is no dispute that the NSAC has no jurisdiction or authority to regulate, license or sanction jiu-jitsu and other forms of grappling. Moreover, jiu-jitsu does not fall within the Nevada definition of unarmed combat because it does not involve “blows” of any kind. Likewise, it would be a violation of due process to expand the interpretation of ‘fighting’ broader than the statutory definition of unarmed combat…
“Further, Mr. Sonnen is headlining Metamoris 4 on August 9, 2014 which has been promoted and marketed almost 1 month before the July 23, 2014 hearing. Mr. Sonnen’s due process rights certainly mandated that any discussion by the NSAC precluding Mr. Sonnen from participating in this jiu-jitsu competition should have been addressed at the hearing.”
As of yesterday, Goodman has yet to receive any official response from the NSAC. And then there’s this inconvenient little clip filmed after Sonnen’s disciplinary hearing last month, in which Aguilar specifically states that “wrestling” competitions aren’t subject to NSAC jurisdiction:
Which raises the question: Was the NSAC even aware of Sonnen’s Metamoris gig during the July hearing? It seems like that detail might have somehow slipped past the commission, and now the NSAC looks foolish, trying to make an issue of something that should have been formally addressed two weeks ago.
My prediction: The American Gangster walks away from this one scot-free. Legally speaking, I mean. Galvao is still going to crush him this weekend, obviously. You can order the iPPV for $30 right here.
Last month, the Nevada State Athletic Commission smacked Chael Sonnen with a two-year suspension after he tested positive for a pharmacy’s worth of unapprovedsubstances, following two separate random drug tests back in May. As Sonnen and PED-apologist Ralek Gracie see it, that suspension shouldn’t stop the American Gangster from headlining a submission-grappling event in California this weekend. But according to the NSAC, it should stop him from competing, and they’re pretty upset about it.
Bleacher Report’s Jeremy Botter broke the news that the NSAC is attempting to prevent Sonnen from competing at Metamoris 4, scheduled for this Saturday, August 9th, in Los Angeles. As Botter wrote:
“Multiple sources confirm NAC has threatened to fine Sonnen $250,000 per failed drug test violation if he competes at Metamoris. Sonnen has hired Vegas lawyer Ross Goodman to represent him in the case…Sonnen camp’s contention is that grappling is not fighting and suspension shouldn’t cover it.”
A follow-up report from MMAJunkie adds more details:
(Life was so much simpler then.)
Last month, the Nevada State Athletic Commission smacked Chael Sonnen with a two-year suspension after he tested positive for a pharmacy’s worth of unapprovedsubstances, following two separate random drug tests back in May. As Sonnen and PED-apologist Ralek Gracie see it, that suspension shouldn’t stop the American Gangster from headlining a submission-grappling event in California this weekend. But according to the NSAC, it should stop him from competing, and they’re pretty upset about it.
Bleacher Report’s Jeremy Botter broke the news that the NSAC is attempting to prevent Sonnen from competing at Metamoris 4, scheduled for this Saturday, August 9th, in Los Angeles. As Botter wrote:
“Multiple sources confirm NAC has threatened to fine Sonnen $250,000 per failed drug test violation if he competes at Metamoris. Sonnen has hired Vegas lawyer Ross Goodman to represent him in the case…Sonnen camp’s contention is that grappling is not fighting and suspension shouldn’t cover it.”
A follow-up report from MMAJunkie adds more details:
A source close to the commission, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly, today told MMAjunkie that the commission sent a letter to Sonnen this past week informing him that the grappling match violated the terms of his suspension, which was handed down in July after a disciplinary hearing on multiple failed drug tests at UFC 175.
In turn, Sonnen’s legal rep, Jeff Meyer, sent a response that challenged the NSAC’s definition of competing. At the time of this writing, it appears Sonnen will meet Galvao as scheduled…Although the grappling competition is not sanctioned by a state athletic commission, as it isn’t considered a combat sport in the same way as are boxing and MMA, the NSAC wants Sonnen to withdraw from the event.
The NSAC’s motivations behind this pursuit are obvious, and fairly logical. Even though submission grappling isn’t technically defined as a “combat sport” — which is bizarre, but whatever — the mere sight of Sonnen participating in any athletic competition directly after a suspension makes the Nevada commission look toothless. In other words, the NSAC needs to drop the hammer in order to send a message that their suspensions should be respected.
But how much jurisdiction does Nevada actually have to regulate what goes on in California? That question might only be settled by a long legal dispute. We’ll keep you posted…
