Controversy struck after Roy Nelson’s knockout victory over Antonio Silva on Sept. 24 at UFC Fight Night 95, as “Big Country” elected to kick veteran referee John McCarthy because he felt as if the fight should’ve been stopped sooner. Last month, Nelson was handed a nine months suspension and a $24,000 fine by the Brazilian Superior Justice Court of MMA for his actions.
The STJDMMA, however, then said that Nelson could lessen his punishment to a six month suspension and a $13,700 fine if he were to apologize to McCarthy in the Octagon or at a press conference before Dec. 31. “Big Country” hasn’t performed either of those requests, but he did recently release a statement apologizing to “Big” John:
“First I’d like to apologize to the fans who make our sport,” Nelson told a group of reporters in Las Vegas (Via MMAFighting). “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.”
It’s currently unclear whether or not Nelson’s suspension will be reduced.
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