MMA
Daniel Cormier criticizes NSAC for withholding pay for three UFC 329 fighters including Paddy Pimblett: "This rule right here is absolutely absurd”
Published
2 months agoon
Zuffa LLCDaniel Cormier doesn't agree with how the NSAC is handling the post-fight celebrations of three fighters who were victorious at UFC 329.
Paddy Pimblett is one of the winners who is having his fight purse withheld due to celebratory gestures. The exact details of what caused the celebrations to be flagged weren't mentioned, but many have taken the athletic commission to task for trying to dictate how the fighters react to career-defining moments.
You can count Cormier as the latest critic. The UFC Hall of Famer, who was on the call with Jon Anik and Joe Rogan for UFC 329, took to his YouTube channel to react to the NSAC withholding fighter pay for celebrations (via Bloody Elbow).
“We are in a sport that, at times, can be ridiculous,†Cormier said. “Three fighters from UFC 329 are having sanctioning hearings for celebrations. I've gotta be honest with you, that is probably the most ridiculous rule in mixed martial arts. Look, we've got rules. You can't kick each other in the nuts. Of course, you shouldn't… you should not poke each other in the eyes and you should not do certain things when you're fighting.
“But to tell me a fighter (cannot) celebrate with enthusiasm, it's absurd,†he continued. “Now you're telling me Max Holloway, Paddy Pimblett, and Gable Steveson are going to go in front of the Nevada State Athletic Commission because of their celebrations.â€
Cormier said if the punishment comes down to simply climbing the top of the Octagon, he feels it's an antiquated rule that needs to be removed.
“You are told you cannot jump on top of the cage… You can't help it! You really cannot help it… This rule right here is absolutely absurd.â€
The two other fighters who have had their pay withheld are UFC 329 headliner Max Holloway and debutant Gable Steveson. The withheld purses will be brought up in a hearing this coming week.
Do you think athletic commissions should lay off when it comes to fighter celebrations as long as it doesn't get in the way of the medical staff or puts anyone in danger? Leave a comment below.
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
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MMA
Movsar Evloev warns Alexander Volkanovski: He hasnt beaten anyone like me
Published
14 hours agoon
October 23, 2026
Evloev says he has pushed himself harder than ever ahead of his
first UFC title shot.
Evloev (20-0) is scheduled to challenge Alexander
Volkanovski (28-4) for the
Ultimate Fighting Championship featherweight title at
UFC 333 on Oct. 24 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Ahead of the
bout, the unbeaten Russian discussed how his preparations have
differed from previous training camps.
Movsar Evloev details toughest training camp ahead of Alexander
Volkanovski title fight at UFC 333
Evloev said he increased his workload across all aspects of
training to address any potential weaknesses. He believes that
preparation will help him showcase his abilities in Saturday's main
event.
“This preparation is different just because I pushed more than
ever,†Evloev said in a pre-fight interview. “And we did more of
everything to make sure we didn't miss anything. He hasn't beaten
anyone like me. There's many things that make me special, like
unique. And I'm about to show it Saturday.â€
Evloev has long been considered a leading featherweight contender,
with Volkanovski acknowledging him as the most deserving
challenger. However, Diego Lopes
received a title rematch against Volkanovski earlier this year
before Evloev earned his opportunity. The Russian's lack of UFC
finishes has fueled debate about his wait for a championship bout,
though the promotion has not established it as the reason for the
delay.
“This is the moment I’ve been waiting for.”
Movsar
Evloev (@MovsarUFC) discusses his journey to the title shot and
his title fight matchup against champ Alexander
Volkanovski @VisitAbuDhabi | @InAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabi |
@ParamountPlus https://t.co/fWuJJ7I2sz— UFC News (@UFCNews)
October 21, 2026
MMA
Joshua Van: Sean Strickland ‘in a bad spot’ in Dana White feud over UFC pay
Published
15 hours agoon
October 23, 2026
Joshua Van sides with UFC boss Dana White in his public feud with Sean Strickland.
For Van, the UFC's flyweight champion, the matter should have been discussed behind closed doors instead of a public forum like social media.
“He just signed a contract in May and fought Khamzat, and then he won,†Van told Outta Pocket. “Instead of going on Twitter and going on all that [expletive], he should have talked to Dana and said, ‘I wanna renegotiate.' Behind closed doors. Then the boss would have been like, ‘OK, let's talk about this, what you want?' You just beat the boogeyman. Now it's a whole mess.â€
“If you work at a 9-to-5 job and you go off to your boss and you're like, pay me this much. Like, what the [expletive]? You know what I mean? So he's in a bad spot right now. He's still under the contract. I don't know how that's gonna work.â€
A 25-year-old flyweight champion who started his professional MMA career when Strickland already had 14 UFC bouts under his belt, Van agrees with Strickland that fighters should get paid more.
However, he doesn't sound unhappy with his current UFC contract. Van recently defended his 125-pound belt with a decision over Alexandre Pantoja, his third title bout win in a span of 10 months, including a fifth-round TKO over Tatsuro Taira in the co-main event of Chimaev vs. Strickland.
“I'm getting paid good,†Van said with a laugh. “I think they pay me good amount; I don't know, but fighter that think they deserve more or—like, should we get paid more? Yes, but, I don't know, I'm happy where I'm at. I start from zero to now, the UFC literally made me where I'm at, gave me everything that I got right now. I don't know, I'm happy right now. I can't really say for the other guy.â€
MMA
UFC 333 prop odds: Krylov-Yakhyaev favored for fastest finish
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1 day agoon
October 22, 2026
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