Palhares manager: We respectfully disagree with the NSAC’s punishment

Rousimar Palhares

Rousimar Palhares’ longtime manager said he and his client disagree with a two-year suspension issued today by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, but indicated they will most likely honor the decision.

In a prepared statement, Alex Davis, who has written several columns for MMAjunkie on the business of MMA, said, “For now, we need time to review the next steps for Mr. Palhares’ career keeping in mind this suspension.”

Palhares (18-6) was also fined $40,000 dollars in addition to court fees for holding on to a kimura submission too long in the third round of a title bout against Jake Shields (31-8-1) at August’s WSOF 22 in Las Vegas. It was the second time
he had been suspended by an athletic commission for such an infraction, though not the first time his submissions had landed him in hot water, and not his first brush with disciplinary action.

At a hearing today in Las Vegas, Palhares, who was stripped of the belt and suspended indefinitely by WSOF, argued via Davis that the bout’s referee, Steve Mazzagatti, was also to blame for the result because he was out of position when he stopped the bout. Mazzagatti and veteran referee “Big” John McCarthy countered that Palhares’ action constituted unsportsmanlike behavior.

In the statement, Davis again pointed to Mazzagatti’s positioning as the reason Palhares’ did not let go of the submission earlier. Palhares claimed during the hearing that he thought Shields was kneeing him when the tap came in the third round of their bout.

“While we understand the deliberations and outcomes of the hearing, we respectfully disagree with the findings and subsequent disciplinary actions,” Davis’ statement read. “At no time did he intend harm to Mr. Shields. As any fighter would, he awaited the indication of a tap from the referee Mr. Mazzagatti, who unfortunately was not standing in a position that allowed Rousimar to clearly understand the tap was called.”

The suspension is retroactive to the date of the bout, which took place Aug. 1 at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. He will be eligible to reapply for a license on Aug. 2, 2017.

“It is clear that this is his career at stake so we must carefully consider his future,” Davis wrote.

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