CSAC suspends Ronda Rousey coach Edmond Tarverdyan for falsifying paperwork

Edmond Tarverdyan

The California State Athletic Commission today suspended Ronda Rousey coach Edmond Tarverdyan for three months, ruling unanimously that he falsified his application as licensed cornerman.

Tarverdyan, who appeared today at a CSAC hearing in Los Angeles, was also given a $5,000 fine and three years of probation. MMAjunkie confirmed the news with CSAC Executive Director Andy Foster after an initial report from MMAFighting.com.

Tarverdyan’s license was suspended on Jan. 4 after the commission discovered he pled no contest in 2010 to two felony counts of identity theft and one count of resisting arrest. He served one day in jail, three years of probation and was ordered to perform 30 days of community service.

Under CSAC statutes, and those of several other state athletic commissions, the information contained in licensing paperwork is submitted under the penalty of perjury. Tarverdyan, however, responded “no” to a question that asked whether he had any previous criminal offenses.

Tarverdyan appealed the ruling at today’s hearing and was unsuccessful. He is now barred from acting as a licensed corner in California and in states with ruling bodies that are members of the Association of Boxing Commissions, which effectively bans him in the U.S. He served as second to UFC heavyweight Travis Browne at UFC Fight Night 81 on Jan. 18, though it’s unclear whether the Massachusetts State Athletic Commission was aware of his status.

In a written statement submitted to the CSAC prior to his suspension, the coach apologized for his error.

“I want to first and foremost apologize to Executive Officer Andy Foster and the honorable commissioners,” Tarverdyan wrote. “I take my position and role in combat sports very seriously, and I regret if this matter has caused any embarrassment to the California State Athletic Commission.

“In my life, I have not concealed my past indiscretions from people I come into contact with. And I do not want to do so in this instance. I train many young athletes and when I see that they are heading down the wrong path in life, I often remind them of the mistakes and regrets of my past as a way to guide them onto the right track in life. I hope to continue to take the opportunity to help others in combat sports to make the correct moral and ethical decisions in their lives. And I intend to make the correct decisions in my life as well.”

A police report from Tarverdyan’s 2010 arrest was submitted as evidence during his hearing. He was stopped by the Glendale Police Department for driving without a front license plate and became combative when asked to exit his vehicle, prompting officers to deploy a Taser on him, according to MMAFighting. A search revealed Tarverdyan held multiple social security cards, credit cards and PIN numbers.

Tarverdyan’s suspension shouldn’t affect the career of his star pupil, now-former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC, who’s focusing on entertainment commitments after losing her title to Holly Holm (10-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) at this past November’s UFC 193.

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