Brazilian sports court to review Roy Nelson's case, determine new suspension and fine

As expected a Brazilian sports court will review UFC heavyweight Roy Nelson’s case before finalizing his new punishment for kick-pushing referee John McCarthy at UFC Fight Night 95.

In an email to MMAjunkie, CABMMA spokesperson Cristiano Sampaio said the Brazilian commission was pleased with Nelson’s recent apology to McCarthy.

“We have seen the video and the (Brazil Superior Justice Court of MMA) has been notified,” Sampaio wrote. “Roy Nelson’s case is being reviewed as of this moment.

“The commission, through the court, will contact the athlete to discuss the disclosure, new suspension and fine. By this week we should have an official statement. Nevertheless, we were very pleased with his public apology, and sincerely believe this conduct will benefit the sport of MMA and its professionals.”

UFC President Dana White denounced Nelson’s post-fight actions and said the veteran heavyweight should be “buried” by the Brazilian athletic commission overseeing the event. Soon after, the matter was forwarded to the relatively new Brazil Superior Justice Court of MMA.

A judge with the court subsequently suspended Nelson (21-13 MMA, 9-9 UFC) nine months and fined him approximately $23,400 for contacting McCarthy following a knockout win over Antonio Silva (19-10-1 MMA, 3-7-1 UFC) at the FS1-televised event on Sept. 26 in Brasilia.

The judge rejected Nelson’s appeal that cited a fear of Brazilian fans and a complicated relationship with McCarthy as the reason for the kick, stating “even if (the actions) were right, the athlete has the obligation to respect the honor, to preserve the health, physical and moral integrity of the referee, and of all the others involved in the accomplishment of a competition. On the basis of the reasons given, it is inadmissible that personal issues are grounds for ethical and unsportsmanlike conduct.”

The judge ruled that Nelson didn’t intend to injure McCarthy and decided against a potential one-year suspension and $32,156 fine. He also gave the fighter the chance to reduce the suspension and fine with a public apology, but “only if the producer (UFC) authorizes the reported athlete to make the formal apology within the octagon or at a press conference by (Dec. 31) and preferably in the presence of the offended referee,” court president Marcelo Sedlmayer Jorge wrote in his decision.

Nelson, the No. 14 fighter in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA heavyweight rankings, took the opportunity and used the official weigh-ins for this past Saturday’s The Ultimate Fighter 24 Finale event to express contrition.

“First I would like to apologize to the fans, who make our sport,” Nelson said. “(And) 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 was wrong. I can’t apologize enough to John McCarthy, the commission and MMA fans around the world. I can’t wait to get back into the octagon to entertain the fans.”

Nelson’s apology should clear the way for the reduced suspension, which would make him eligible to fight on March 30, 2017. He will also have to pay a fine of $13,119.72.

For complete coverage of UFC Fight Night 95, check out the UFC Events section of the site.