Back in September, UFC heavyweight veterans Roy Nelson and Antonio ‘Bigfoot’ Silva stepped into the Octagon at ‘UFC Fight Night: Sao Paulo’ in a highly anticipated heavyweight showdown.

Nelson ultimately picked up a second round KO win over Silva, however it was the actions which occurred after the KO which resulted in the fight making headlines. After Silva was out cold on the canvas, Nelson believed that referee Big John McCarthy was slow on stopping the fight, and allowed Silva to take unnecessary blows after being KOd. Nelson promptly gave McCarthy the finger before then delivering a swift kick to McCarthy’s rear end while he was tending to Silva.

The action landed Nelson in a world of trouble with the UFC, with UFC President Dana White stating that Nelson would be “buried” for the incident. Ultimately, he was handed a 9 month suspension, and fined $24,000 for his actions, however he was given the option to have his fine and suspension significantly reduced if he were to make a formal apology to McCarthy.

During a press conference, Nelson made his apology, stating:

“First I’d like to apologize to the fans who make our sport,” Nelson told a group of reporters in Las Vegas. “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.”

So far there has been no word yet from the Brazilian Superior Justice Court of MMA on whether or not Nelson’s apology will result in the reduced suspension and fine.

Stay tuned for updates as they become available.