Showdown Joe: Athletic Commissions Making MMA Headlines

Not a day goes by where something in the MMA world captures the attention of the fanatical populus, and just a few days into this new week, we have a few doozies.

Donald Cerrone posted a video on his Instagram page, showcasing a horrific looking beatdown to the right side of his face. Speculation ran rampant that he would be out of UFC 206 in Toronto, but “Cowboy” claims everything will be fine. He stated that “After hours on the table, the doctors were able to save my eye.” It ended up just being a prosthetic for a film project. 

I also have qualms with the Ontario Athletic Commission (OAC), as my own thought of how the government entity in my own backyard operates, has always been one of trepidation. The OAC has also followed the lead of the New York State Commission, as they have declined Rashad Evans the opportunity to fight in Toronto.

The former light heavyweight champ was pulled from his UFC 205 bout with Tim Kennedy for undisclosed reasons, with the bout pushed forward to UFC 206 in the 416. Well, you can scratch that idea now, with “Suga” likely not competing until early 2017. It doesn’t seem likely though, but I do agree in safety first. If something is showing on his medicals that he is not cleared to fight, I’m ok with that. But if it’s just because NYS said “no”, then I’m not cool with it.

As for Kennedy, he posted this on his Twitter page:

@SpiderAnderson I know it's been a minute since you won a fight. I might be an easy match up. Bad wrestling, horrible striking. #ufc206 ?

Sign me up – I’m ok with the call-out and the potential of this bout taking place at The Air Canada Centre.

And speaking of the New York State Regulatory Body, they are not messing around with fighters who miss weight.

Thiago Alves, who was off the mark a fair amount in his lead-up to his tilt at UFC 205 with Jim Miller, was still able to compete. He lost … and was then handed a three month suspension.

It doesn’t do much, as he was going to likely take that time off anyway, but it does go on his ABC record as a suspension. What it simply means, is that no matter what, he cannot compete over the next 90 days, as a potential injury replacement, should the UFC need one.

How about 180 days? As in six months worth of a suspension? That’s what Kelvin Gastelum received from the NYC regulators for not showing up to weigh-in for his original bout versus the aforementioned “Cowboy” Cerrone.

We all know Kelvin will not be competing at 170 lbs anymore and that 185 lbs was going to be his only option. Unfortunately for him, it likely won’t happen until May of 2017. Six months, no income from MMA. Hopefully he can get some appearances or seminars in, cause that’s a large timeframe to not be making any money in a sport where only a select few can afford to take that much time off.

Don’t forget that on Wednesday night, Sean Ross Sapp and I will discuss these headlines and much more in our Midweek Fightful MMA podcast.