Controversy has struck in the state of Ohio after the Ohio Athletic Commission (OAC) discovered that a fight promoter Joe Bridenbraugh had falsified blood test paperwork for 24 fighters, all of whom had knowledge of what was going on.
Gary Young, who works as a matchmaker for Bridenbraugh’s promotion, signed an affidavit recent stating that he was solely responsible for what took place. Young apparently submitted documents to the OAC used templates that made the blood work documents look legal. All of those templates and falsified paperwork have been obtained by the OAC.
Bluegrass MMA first reported the news.
All the fighters and others were set to compete at a Strike FC event in Ohio, but the show was canceled on the day of the planned card.
In the state of Ohio, all fighters (whether professional or amateur) are expected to get blood tests done at least once per year.
Bridenbraugh will appear before the OAC on December 12 for sanctioning and punishments.
Since the falsified documents were uncovered, all 23 fighters had been put through blood testing and all of them passed the tests.
Bernie Profato is the executive director of the OAC and he tells MMA Fighting that everybody involved in the scheme are going to be banned from promoting or competing in the state of Ohio for life.
“Their careers are done as far as we’re concerned,” Profato said.
No criminal charges are going to be filed at this time against anybody involved in the matter, but the OAC will keep the case open for the time being in case any other information comes to light.
Due to the whole mess, the OAC will now have all fighters competing in the state to have their blood work submitted at a laboratory or doctor’s office. Which will then allow the commission to call said labs and offices independently to confirm the tests were taken.
Bluegrass MMA also provided the following list of fighters who will face sanctions from the OAC:
Michael Bennett
Jarrod Bowman
Zachory Cooper
Gaige Diemer
Zachary Dominique
Chance Ferrel
Feraris Golden
Ryan Hornack
Alan Huffman
Adam Inbody
Christian Jordan
Scott Livingston
Brett Miller
John Miller
Cody Mompher-Rizer
James Ousley
Hayden Radabaugh
Eric Reffitt
Jordan Slinker
Donald Starkey
Kaitlen Styne
Alex Tate
Trevor Tyfair
Zachary Young
If any of the fighters would like to compete in the state again one day, they will have to appear before the OAC to plead their case for re-licensing.
