Jake Shields gets 50 hours community service, Palhares delayed at NSAC hearing

Jake Shields

WSOF welterweight Jake Shields was given 50 hours of community service for his role in a foul-marred title fight with Rousimar Palhares at this past month’s WSOF 22.

The four-member Nevada State Athletic Commission decided against fines and suspension for Shields (31-8-1) after he explained why he punched Palhares (18-6) after submitting to a kimura in the third round.

“I don’t think two wrongs make a right, but I can understand what appears to be almost an involuntary reflex in that type of circumstance,” said NSAC commissioner Pat Lundvall.

Shields must complete the service within six months near his residence in San Francisco. He must also provide documentation of his community service before reapplying for a license.

“It was a reaction after getting the arm cranked,” said Shields, who also claimed during his testimony that his elbow and shoulder were “torn” by the submission hold. “It’s not excusable.

“But I think it goes far beyond just holding the submission too long. Throughout the second round, he repeatedly took his thumbs and gouged my eyes. I was winning up until that point. By the third round, I couldn’t see; my eyes were gouged out. I was completely frustrated, and I’m asking for some leniency.”

Palhares received a continuance from the commission and is expected to appear next month to answer on a complaint he held a kimura in the Aug. 1 headliner at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

Palhares’ manager, Alex Davis, said Palhares was unable to attend the hearing because his wife is pregnant.

“It’s a delicate stage,” Davis wrote. “Since the NSAC was willing to listen to us at a later date, he decided to wait.”

The commission noted that Palhares, who after the fight was stripped of the WSOF title and indefinitely suspended, was explicitly warned by referee Steve Mazzagatti about holding onto submissions. Mazzagatti testified via telephone during the NSAC hearing and affirmed his warning.

For more on WSOF 22, check out the MMA Events section of the site.

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