NAC fines Jones, Cormier for brawl in MGM Grand lobby

Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight stars Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier each took a slightly different approach in answering to the Nevada Athletic Commission for their roles in a brawl in the lobby of the MGM Grand last month during a Tuesday morning meeting at the Grant Sawyer Building.

In the end, both were punished for their actions.

Jones was fined $50,000 and ordered to do 40 hours of verified community service in Las Vegas before he will be allowed to defend his title against Cormier in a bout scheduled for Jan. 3. Cormier must pay $9,000 and perform 20 hours of community service, which he may do near his home in San Jose, Calif.

The financial numbers were based on 10 percent of each fighter’s disclosed UFC purse.

Neither penalty even approached the one doled out to veteran Wanderlei Silva for allegedly running away from a drug test this year.

Silva, who did not attend the meeting and was represented by his attorney, was essentially banned from competition for life and fined 35 percent of his contracted salary of $200,000.

Jones and Cormier did show up to face discipline for a news conference staredown that quickly escalated into an ugly incident Aug. 4.

The taller Jones put his forehead down as the rival fighters approached each other on stage for a photo op and made contact with Cormier’s head.

Cormier then shoved Jones, who dropped his UFC belt and threw a wild left hook. The fighters, along with several people trying to separate the two, fell off stage, and Jones threw several more punches. As Cormier was led away, he turned and threw a shoe back in Jones’ general direction.

Jones spoke softly and repeatedly apologized for his actions, which he said cost him his endorsement deal with Nike along with a deal with another sponsor that had been taken off the table as a result.

“It was a terrible thing in a very heated moment,” said a contrite Jones, who said his efforts to positively promote the sport extend to not cursing in interviews. “I make a very conscious effort to be a great example. It’s embarrassing for me. I realize it comes with consequences and, as a man, I’ve come to accept them.”

Cormier apologized, too, but also made a case for having acted in self defense. He shared with the commission his history of being bullied and said he promised himself he wouldn’t let anyone intimidate him again.

Cormier said after the meeting he was pleased that he could do his community service at home, where he already does a great deal of work with local children, and that the penalty given to Jones was a bit more severe.

“They saw the video and who was the aggressor,” said Cormier, a two-time Olympic wrestler. “I’m happy with how it turned out. I believe it was fair. I apologize for my part in the action. It is not who I am. The lights are just a little bit brighter for me now, and I need to carry myself in the way I have for 20 competitive years.”

Jones declined comment as he left the meeting, but posted on his Twitter account a short time later.

“(Forty) hours of community service in Vegas with a fight coming up is the only thing that really concerns me. The fact that this needs to be completed before the fight is definitely going to have effect on my camp. I respect the commission though. I am excited to get to work with kids. That part is a blessing in disguise. I’ll give them my best. Dude, these kids are going to never forget meeting me. It’s funny, I’m actually walking back and forth in my hotel room right now thinking about my message to them. I’m excited to have the opportunity to possibly change a life.”

In discussing Silva’s case, NAC chairman Francisco Aguilar said the panel needed to send a strong message because running from a test is “about the worst thing you can do.”

The remaining four commissioners clearly agreed, based on the significant penalty.

Silva’s attorney, Ross Goodman, vowed to file an appeal in district court as soon as he receives the transcript from Tuesday’s meeting.

The commissioners appeared ready to make the penalty even more severe financially, but seemed concerned about whether it would fall outside normal standards enough for a court to potentially overturn the decision on appeal.

Goodman argued the commission lacked jurisdiction in the matter because Silva was not licensed to fight in Nevada at the time. The commission insisted Silva was eligible for its out-of-competition drug testing program because a fight had been announced and Silva was in the midst of doing promotional appearances when he evaded a sample collector by slipping out the side door of his gym.

“It made a mockery of any type of public or legitimate forum,” Goodman said outside the meeting room after referring to the hearing as a “kangaroo court.”

Silva did not appear at the meeting. The 38-year-old Las Vegas resident announced his retirement from the sport last week.

Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509. Follow him on Twitter: @adamhilllvrj.