NSAC Sets Hearings Over UFC 329 Cage Celebration

The Nevada State Athletic Commission is holding disciplinary hearings for UFC 329 winners Max Holloway, Paddy Pimblett, and Gable Steveson after their cage celebrations, with penalties potentially including withholdings of portions of their fight purses. While Pimblett’s and the others’ celebrations prompted pushback from fighters and commentators, the commission has not yet announced specific sanctions. Daniel Cormier, a UFC Hall of Famer and analyst, publicly criticized the rule as outdated and absurd, arguing that fighters’ post-victory emotions should not be punished so harshly. Pimblett’s manager Graham Boylan echoed that sentiment, calling the rule outdated and urging change, while past instances have seen other fighters fined around $2,500 for similar acts. The ongoing debate highlights a broader tension between strict regulatory rules and the sport’s culture of celebration, with supporters arguing the penalties deter improper conduct and critics calling for more reasonable, sport-friendly enforcement.