Nelson's suspension reduced to 6 months by Brazilian sports court
It pays to mind your manners.
In what should signal the resolution of an ugly situation for Roy Nelson, the 40-year-old UFC heavyweight had a nine-month suspension reduced to six months by a Brazilian sports court on Wednesday, according to ESPN's Brett Okamoto.
The suspension stemmed from an incident at UFC Fight Night 95 in Brasilia on Sept. 24, in which Nelson shoved referee John McCarthy with his foot in protest of what he perceived to be a late stoppage after a win over Antonio Silva. Nelson finished Silva with punches on the ground, but felt that he had to throw more strikes than were necessary to end the bout.
On Dec. 2, Nelson issued a public apology to McCarthy and the Brazilian commission for his actions, which was one of the stipulations for a reduced suspension when the verdict was originally handed down. A $23,400 fine was also part of the punishment, but that will be lowered to $13,700.
Nelson will be eligible to compete again on March 29, 2017.
- With h/t to MMAjunkie