NSAC announces Dec. 2 workshop to solicit input on regulation changes

When Georges St-Pierre was announced as a split-decision winner over Johny Hendricks in the main event of this past Saturday’s UFC 167 event, fans, fighters and even UFC President Dana White had all kinds of suggestions for the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Now they’ll have a chance to address the commission face to face.

NSAC officials recently announced they will conduct a workshop to “solicit comments on proposed regulation” as it pertains to chapter 467 of the Nevada Administrative Code – the section of the Silver State’s law that oversees unarmed combat, including MMA and boxing.

The meeting takes place Monday, Dec. 2 at 9 a.m. PT local time at the Grant Sawyer State Office Building, located at 555 East Washington Ave., Suite 4500, in Las Vegas.

“The purpose of the workshop is to solicit comments  from interested persons on any matter related to contests or exhibitions of unarmed combat, or any other matter within the jurisdiction of the Nevada Athletic Commission,” an official release announcing the meeting stated.

As one of the leading commissions in the country, the NSAC has long been looked at as one of the strongest governing bodies in combat sports. However, the organization has recently endured criticism for referee performances, its handling of performance-enhancing drugs in combat sports and – perhaps most notoriously – the quality of judging decisions rendered.

That last issue was on full display at this past weekend’s UFC 167 event, where UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre was awarded a split-decision win over challenger Johny Hendricks.

While most cageside observers believe the fight hinged on the opening round, every major media outlet tracked by MMADecisions.com scored the fight for Hendricks. Judges Sal D’Amato and Tony Weeks gave St-Pierre rounds 1, 3 and 5 and Hendricks 2 and 4. Judge Glenn Trowbridge awarded Hendricks rounds 1, 2 and 4 while awarding St-Pierre 3 and 5.

UFC boss White said he scored the fight for the challenger four rounds to one and lambasted the commission at the evening’s post-event press conference.

“The governor needs to step in and fix the incompetence that is happening in the state of Nevada that used to be the best commission in the world,” White said. “It’s absolutely, 100 percent incompetence, and it needs to stop.”

(Pictured: Nevada State Athletic Commission Executive Director Keith Kizer)