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Daniel 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

RAF

Henry Cejudo finally got a measure of revenge on Merab Dvalishvili in the freestyle wrestling world, but he's already calling for a trilogy.

Cejudo entered the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland this past Saturday in hopes of a strong showing in a RAF 12 rematch with former UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili. In their first encounter outside of MMA rules, Cejudo had a sizable 8-0 lead over “The Machine,†but his gas tank wore out. This allowed Dvalishvili to mount a comeback and score the victory 11-8.

Things played out far differently in the rematch, as “Triple C†managed to have Dvalishvili pinned in just 36 seconds. It was a definitive win for Cejudo, but he may not be done with his rival just yet. During the RAF 12 post-fight press conference, Cejudo said he's counting on a third wrestling match with “The Machine†(via MMAFighting).

“I've been wrestling since I was a kid but that doesn't mean anything,†Cejudo said. “It's humbling but I'm excited for the trilogy.â€

Cejudo believes that the biggest difference between his rematch with Dvalishvili and their first RAF meeting boiled down to dedication.

“When I'm in shape, and I think Izzy [Martinez] said it, we were on the phone one time and [he said] ‘when Henry's in shape, no one will beat him… this kid is good,'†Cejudo said. “I took that to heart.

“I went out to Amsterdam, N.Y. in upstate New York, and I just dedicated myself for a whole month and a half. After getting beat up by Merab in Georgia. I've just got to stay disciplined and dedicated.â€

Cejudo is now 2-1 under the RAF banner. His other victory was against Urijah Faber in his promotional debut back in February. Whether RAF officials book the trilogy between Cejudo and Dvalishvili or they have something else in mind for “Triple C†will be a story to monitor.

Did you catch the RAF 12 rematch between Henry Cejudo and Merab Dvalishvili? Should there be a trilogy, or would you rather see fresh matchups for both men? Drop your two cents in the comments below.

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM

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Ian Machado Garry squandered the final moments of his UFC 330 main event against Islam Makhachev as far as Dana White is concerned.

Garry challenged Makhachev for the UFC welterweight gold on Aug. 15 in Philadelphia. Makhachev wasn't exactly on cruise control like most of his fights, but he wasn't pushed to his absolute limits either in his unanimous decision win. Although if you ask Garry, the pound-for-pound great was “pushed to the wire.â€

Garry did have his moments and even marked up Makhachev's face, but the champion dropped “The Future†in the second round with a head kick, and his grappling was the deciding factor for four of the five rounds in the eyes of two judges who scored it 49-46. There was one judge who gave Makhachev a 48-47 score total, but many agree it wasn't really a nail bitter.

White had been critical of Garry for being overly friendly with Makhachev in the closing moments of the fight, and he doubled down when speaking to reporters during the UFC Sacramento post-fight press conference.

“You get this opportunity, you've worked your whole life to get there, and you come out in the fifth round after you do all this great work, and you want to come out and start hugging him,†White said. “Shaking hands. Tell him how [expletive] great he is when they're putting the belt on ya. It's just he might never have that opportunity again, and probably will never get the opportunity at Islam again, who is gonna go down as one of the all-time greats, if not, the greatest by the time he's done.â€

If there's some advice White would give to Garry, it would be to find his killer instinct and ditch the kind and courteous approach until the final horn has sounded.

“You have five [expletive] minutes,†White said. “Every second of that round counts. Don't wait 10 seconds telling this guy you [expletive] love him.â€

Garry has insisted that his goal remains unchanged. He thinks his plan to have a “decade of dominance†will still come to fruition. Whether or not “The Future†can get back to title contention and eventually win UFC gold remains to be seen.

Do you agree with Dana White's assessment of Ian Machado Garry being overly friendly at UFC 330? Join in on the conversation in the comments below.

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM