Roy Nelson will not be seen inside the UFC’s Octagon until halfway through 2017, as the fighter has been suspended 9 months for kicking referee “Big” John McCarthy after a fight with Antonio Silva at UFC Fight Night 95, according to MMA Fighting.
The Brazilian Superior Justice Court Of MMA (STJDMMA) handed out the suspension, which is retroactive to the date in which in incident occurred, September 24 of this year.Nelson is not eligible to fight again until June 24 of 2017, whether in Brazil or anywhere else that accepts the STJDMMA’s ruling.
Nelson did apologize to McCarthy backstage at the event, but the apology was not enough in the minds of the STJDMMA.
Besides the 9 month suspension, the STJDMMA also issued Nelson a fine totaling $24,000. The maximum fine for this offense is $33,000.
There is a way that Nelson can actually get back into action at an earlier date. According the STJDMMA, if Nelson were to make a public apology to McCarthy at an official UFC event (live event, press conference, weigh-ins, etc.), his suspension would be reduced to 6 months, meaning he could fight again on March 24. His fine would be reduced to $13,700.
Neither the UFC, Nelson, or McCarthy have issued any form of statement on the matter since the STJDMMA announced its ruling.
