Yesterday former WSOF champion Rousimar Palhares appeared in front of the NSAC for unsportsmanlike conduct after once again holding a submission after his opponent tapped.
The incident occurred at WSOF 22 when Palhares held a kimura submission after Jake Shields tapped out. Referee Steve Mazzagatti intervened, and it appeared Palhares was still refusing to relinquish his submission, however he then did.
Palhares was stripped of the title by the WSOF for the incident. In addition the NSAC suspended him for 2 years for unsportsmanlike conduct and fined him $40,000 from his purse.
He released a statement to MMAFighting regarding the suspension, and why he disagrees with it.
“I appeared in front of the commission today to tell the truth and take the responsibilities for my acts. I thank the commission for opening an exception and allowing me the opportunity to participate on the hearing via Skype. I know all the complications that it has caused, but I once again thank them for understanding my current condition.”
“Yet, I don’t agree with the punishment, both the suspension and the fine. Many untruths were said. They didn’t take in consideration the obvious mistake committed by referee Steve Mazzagatti, who was in an inadequate position at the moment of the submission. If the referee was in the correct position, maybe none of this would have happened.”
“Unfortunately, I will have to obey this unfair decision, fulfilling my suspension and paying the fine. I’ll reflect about everything that happened and, together with my manager Alex Davis, I will make the best decision for the continuation of my career.”
“I will never accept to be called a dirty fighter. I’ll say this again, I have more than 20 fights in my career and no one will ever say the name of a single fighter that has broken an arm or a leg while fighting me, I never ended no one’s career due to injury. I’m a clean and correct athlete, and I know my character and professionalism.”
Given that Nick Diaz was suspended for 5 years for a failed drug test for marijuana, and Wanderlei Silva was handed a lifetime ban for evading drug testing officials, what do you think of Palhares’ suspension? Sound off below PENN Nation!