NASC to address Daniel Cormier – Jon Jones brawl on Sep. 23
NASC to address Cormier-Jones brawl on Sep. 23
The hype that surrounded the Aug. 3., brawl between UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and number one contender, Daniel Cormier at the media day press conference for UFC 178 was extraordinary. Fans were on the edge of their seat waiting for the much anticipated September 27 bout date.
The two went head-to-head on stage at the MGM Grand. Jones leaned his head in; Cormier did not approve and shoved the champion. Then ‘Bones’ Jones then took a swing and shoved UFC Senior Director of Public Relations Dave Sholler out of the way. The stage collapsed and people could have been hurt.
They were eventually separated and the card was essentially dubbed as one of the best of the year….until Jones withdrew from injury.
Now on September 23, the Nevada State Athletic Commission will address the brawl that put both fighters and the UFC organization as a whole in hot water. The fighters, media, fans, and officials were all put at risk when the emotions of the two fighters got the better of them and a full scale brawl broke out.
After the footage had made the rounds on the internet, the NAC requested a copy of the incident in order to come to a quick resolution in order to determine possible penalties for both fighters.
The news of the hearing was revealed during Wednesday’s edition of UFC Tonight. Cormier, who serves as an analyst on the show, confirmed the report.
“I know I got the mail; I signed for it; I tried to give it back, but they would not accept it,” Cormier said. “So I guess I will be there next Tuesday night.
The UFC first let the NSAC serve punishment before handing down any punishments.
“This is certainly not a proud moment for the UFC organization,” said Kirk Hendrick, the UFC’s Chief Legal Officer. “We expect more from our athletes, especially these two gentlemen, who are very well-trained and highly-educated professionals. Their actions were clearly a violation of the UFC’s code of conduct.”
