Palhares and Shields temporarily suspended by NSAC

MMA Fighting reports that the Nevada State Athletic Commission have temporarily suspended Rousimar Palhares and Jake Shields after their fight at WSOF 22 this past Saturday.  Additionally, WSOF has stripped Palhares of the WSOF welterweight title and suspended him indefinitely.

The news of Palhares’ punishment from WSOF was issued on Tuesday.

Via WSOF press release:

“After taking the time to review the footage from Saturday’s bout between Rousimar Palhares and Jake Shields in its entirety, we decided that stripping Rousimar of his title and issuing him a suspension until this issue is resolved, was necessary,” said World Series of Fighting President, six-time world champion and two-time Hall of Famer Ray Sefo.

Palhares and Shields were temporarily suspended by the NSAC due to Palhares’ eye gouging of Shields’ eyes as well as holding on to his submission for too long.  Shields is being suspended for hitting Palhares after the match was over.  He also is being suspended for “disparaging remarks” made to the fight’s referee Steve Mazzagatti after the fight.

The fighters will have a quick turnaround to defend themselves as the matters will be discussed at the August 13^th NSAC meeting with disciplinary hearings likely occurring in September.

Payout Perspective:

It’s a messy situation for the NSAC to address.  Clearly Palhares’ past actions may affect the potential punishment in the present situation.  Shields’ actions may be understandable when you consider Palhares may have held onto the submission too long which could have caused long-term injury to Shields.  His remarks to Mazzagatti were a result of not stepping in sooner even though he knew of Palhares’ past.  We shall see what the NSAC decides to do with each.  Also, we shall see if the WSOF issues a suspension longer than the commission for Palhares or if it suspends him so long as the commission advises.  For better or worse, Palhares is sort of a draw now considering his reputation.