The Ohio State Athletic Commission has suspended Sean Salmon for one year and fined him $2500 for "not fighting to the best of his ability" and "conduct detrimental to the sport". Salmon admitted in a blog that he "allowed opponent Allan Weickert to tap him out a June 6 NAAFS event in Ohio." MMA Junkie.
about 1 month ago
Kid Nate
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Least they didn’t disemvowel him.
The mat is my church, the ground is my heaven, Jiu-Jitsu is my religion. And once you hit the ground you're in my world. My world is like the ocean, I’m like a shark and most people don't even know how to swim - Draculino
by AboveThisFire on Oct 20, 2009 2:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
disemvowel (verb)
to remove the vowels from a word as a way of discouraging crude or vulgar words in a written comment on a web site
yeah that would be devastating
by CSKit on Oct 20, 2009 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
He looks like “Big” John and Jesse “JT$” Taylor’s love child.
"Well... You're damned if you do, and You're damned if you don't."- Bart Simpson
by poundnground on Oct 20, 2009 2:28 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs
I see a little Wandy in there too
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by Brent Brookhouse on Oct 20, 2009 7:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Implications?
How does the Ohio Athletic Commission expect to enforce a rule that fighters must “fight to the best of his abilities”? Would Hermes Franca have been fined for his last fight? What about Chris Leban’s last match, if it had been in Ohio would he be facing a fine?
Don’t get me wrong I don’t defend Salmon’s actions nor choice to blog about it, but I don’t see how he broke any commission rules. Not trying hard enough in a sanctioned match is between the fighter and the promoter, not the Athletic Commission. I would expect this type of move from the CSAC like when they wouldn’t license Gabe Rudiger for his antics on TUF 5.
by pwrcartel on Oct 20, 2009 2:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Salmon crossed the line
when he admitted to not trying and put it on a blog.
There are some things you just don’t talk about.
It’s like when Babalu got booted from the UFC for talking about holding the choke on David Heath. He could’ve gotten away with it if he’d kept his mouth shut.
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by Kid Nate on Oct 20, 2009 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree he crossed the line by blogging about it. But the line he crossed is one with his promoter, and more so his fellow fighter (you dishonor your opponent when you don’t give him your full effort as he attempts to gage his skills), not an athletic commission rule. There is nothing in the Unified Rules stating you have to try hard. The Commission’s job is to sanction fights under the rules, not punish fighters for douchey behavior and blogs.
I’m all for promoters black-balling Salmon for a year, offering him less money to fight, etc. but the AC has no business regulating effort. As the like Rock used to say, “Shut your mouth and know your role” which is advise the Ohio AC definitely hasn’t taken to heart.
by pwrcartel on Oct 20, 2009 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I disagree, the athletic commission is there to make sure that the competition is on the up and up. Their job is to make sure the fighters get what they are supposed to get from the promoters, and also that the promoters get what they are supposed to get from the fighters.
I’m much happier with the AC suspending him instead of promoters blackballing him.
by Phildo on Oct 20, 2009 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And Babalu endangered another fighter by not complying with a sanctioned referee’s instructions ending the bout. Very different than giving a poor effort no matter what the reason.
by pwrcartel on Oct 20, 2009 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
“not fighting to the best of his ability”
Lol, watch out for post fight interviews and hear how many guys say this word for word. I didn’t know they’re was something against that. Never heard of it.
UFC 104=> ben rothwell will UD the shit outta Velasquez.
by spectaa on Oct 20, 2009 2:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
i heard this story
briefly, but what was his motivation for wanting to lose? i didnt hear the whole story. Why did he want to lose?
by bluejitz on Oct 20, 2009 2:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Some believe that since he was a huge favorite, he bet on Weickert.
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"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
by Leland Roling on Oct 20, 2009 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Who was making book on this fight? I’m sure at least two guys in the crowd had a wager on it, but seriously where was the action on this fight? I’ve had accounts with off-shore sites in the past and they usually don’t post odds for UFC prelim bouts much less non-televised regional promotions. I have a hard time accepting there was enough action on this bout for it to be worthwhile to fix it. How much does Salmon have to bet against himself to make it worthwhile?
This wasn’t fixing an athletic competition, or the feds would be involved. This is the Ohio Athletic Commission doing their best Armando impersonation.
Let promotors punish fighers who don’t give their full effort by not offering them more fights.
by pwrcartel on Oct 20, 2009 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He admitted that he PUT HIMSELF BACK IN THE CHOKE so…um…that’s the exact kind of thing that a commission should take action on.
And a lot of regional cards can be gambled on through online sites. like…A LOT of them
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by Brent Brookhouse on Oct 20, 2009 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So essentially you want the various commissions to rule on a fighter’s intent while in the ring? He doesn’t put it on the blog and he’s just another wrestler caught in a choke BJJ yellows say they could see coming. But he does something douchey and talks about it in a blog and only now he must be punished.
He’s not being punished for quitting while in the midst of competion, he’s being punished for being a moron and writing about it. Either way, the commission isn’t Ms Morals Defender of the Righteous, they are a regulatory body whose role is to assure published regulations are adhered to. Fining a fighter for quitting is beyond their authority and Salmon should sue. It is however within the Commission’s authority to not relicense him on his next application for his “conduct detrmental to the team” making the sport look bad, etc. But to take money out of his pocket when all he did was quit like many other fighters have? It isn’t against the rules to quit.
Consider this, what if Salmon really made a rookie mistake that night getting caught in the choke to an opponent he doesn’t highly regard and is simply in denial about his own abilities? The commission aren’t mind readers no matter what the kid said. He is being fined for being douchey, not breaking the rules. And that is beyond the scope of the commission.
by pwrcartel on Oct 20, 2009 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why do you think it’s not their authority to do this?
It’s their job to make sure everything that is supposed to happen. They have to make sure the promotion pays Salmon, why aren’t they supposed to make sure Salmon keeps up his end of the contract? It isn’t against the rules to quit, but it is against the rules of the contract he signed to not try and win the fight.
You’re right that he wouldn’t be punished if he didn’t write about it, but he did, so he got busted. They need evidence to do something like this, and Salmon forked it over on a silver platter.
by Phildo on Oct 20, 2009 10:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Where in his contract does it state he has to “fight to the best of his abilities”? There is no rules infraction. Salmon’s “end of the bargin” is to obtain a license, make weight, and show up, and answer the bell for round 1. Beyond those duties he is not obligated per his contract to do a damn thing.
His actions were dishonorable, not rules infractions. And again, who can say for certain his blog wasn’t denial/excuse for losing a fight he thought he could win easily? He didn’t “get caught” breaking the rules by posting a blog, he acted like a moron. Unfortunately for the OSAC being a moron isn’t within their juristiction to hand out fines on.. But then again anyone who has read his blogs could have figured that out long before the “confession” blog that Salmon isn’t the brightest apple in the bunch..
All I know is Ken Shamrock’s promotion just called looking to book Salmon vs. Starnes to headline their New Year’s show on a reservation in Wyoming. And that should be punishment enough for being a moron and acting dishonorably in the ring.
by pwrcartel on Oct 21, 2009 12:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
How do you know his contract says he can’t throw the fight?
Do they really need to write an official rule that says you can’t throw the fight? And for the record, this is from the Nevada rules, it’s safe to assume Ohio has something similar
NRS 467.110 Suspension, revocation and other disciplining of contestant and other participants; grounds for refusal to issue license.
1. The Commission may suspend or revoke the license of, otherwise discipline, or take any combination of such actions against any contestant, promoter, ring official or other participant who, in the judgment of the Commission:
(a) Enters into a contract for a contest or exhibition of unarmed combat in bad faith;
(b) Participates in any sham or fake contest or exhibition of unarmed combat;
© Participates in a contest or exhibition of unarmed combat pursuant to a collusive understanding or agreement in which the contestant competes in or terminates the contest or exhibition in a manner that is not based upon honest competition or the honest exhibition of the skill of the contestant;
(d) Is guilty of a failure to give his best efforts, a failure to compete honestly or a failure to give an honest exhibition of his skills in a contest or exhibition of unarmed combat;
(e) Is guilty of an act or conduct that is detrimental to a contest or exhibition of unarmed combat, including, but not limited to, any foul or unsportsmanlike conduct in connection with a contest or exhibition of unarmed combat; or
(f) Fails to comply with any limitation, restriction or condition placed on his license.
If Nevada can do it, so can Ohio.
by Phildo on Oct 21, 2009 8:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
and since I’m bored, here’s some ohio rules, http://aco.ohio.gov/home.htm
The state athletic commission may revoke, suspend, or refuse to renew any license issued under rules bearing agency-level designation 3773 of the Administrative Code if the licensee:
(A) Has committed an act detrimental to any sports regulated by the Ohio athletic commission or to the public interest, convenience or necessity;
(B) Is associating or consorting with any person who has been convicted of a crime involving sports regulated by the Ohio athletic commission;
© Is or has been consorting with bookmakers or gamblers, or has engaged in similar pursuits;
(D) Is financially irresponsible;
(E) Has been found guilty of any fraud or misrepresentation in connection with any sports regulated by the commission;
(F) Has violated any law with respect to any sports regulated by the commission or any rule or order of the commission;
(G) Has engaged in any activity that the commission determines is detrimental to any, sports regulated by the Ohio athletic commission.
(H) Any applicant who has been denied a license by the commission may not file a similar application until one year after denial by the commission, unless commission specifies otherwise at the time of denial.
(I) A person who has had their license revoked may not petition for re-instatement or apply for a new license until one year after the revocation. If a petitioner files a petition for re-instatement after one year required pursuant to this subsection and the commission denies the request, the petitioner may not petition again for re-instatement until one year after the denial, unless commission specifies otherwise at the time of denial.
(J) Once a person’s license is revoked or suspended they may not apply for any other license issued by the Ohio athletic commission and all other current licenses held will also be revoked or suspended.
and also
No person shall:
(A) Violate sections 3773.31 to 3773.59 of the Revised Code or any rule of the commission;
(B) Gamble, bet, or wager on the result of a boxing match or exhibition;
© Participate in a sham or fake boxing match or exhibition that is conducted by a holder of a promoter’s license.
(D) Participate in a boxing match or exhibition if they are under eighteen years of age unless neither contestant in the match or exhibition is a professional boxer.
(E) Have a financial interest in a boxer competing on premises owned, leased by, or which that person is otherwise financially interested.
and
3773-7-18 Disciplinary action.
© The executive director, inspector or commission representative may order the purse withheld of a mixed martial arts contestant for failing to perform to the best of their ability. The contestant may appeal in writing to the executive director within ten days of the event, when such action is taken. If no appeal is made the commission will have a hearing to determine the amount of the purse that will be transferred to the treasurer of the state of Ohio at the next regularly scheduled commission meeting.
And lets not forget the old “timidity” clause in the unified rules
by Phildo on Oct 21, 2009 9:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
only when
> So essentially you want the various commissions to rule on a fighter’s intent while in the ring?
It’s not a matter of judging “intent” when the idiot blogs about it. I don’t think you’re going to see any athletic commission just looking at a fight and saying “You know what, Tim Sylvia isn’t trying. Ban him.”
by loydb on Oct 21, 2009 8:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
there's been no hard allegation on this
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by Kid Nate on Oct 20, 2009 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Salmon claims he was afraid that if he was injured in the fight
he would lose his gig doing wrestling training for the Wolfslair camp.
He claims that they never paid him anyway.
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by Kid Nate on Oct 20, 2009 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Totally Agree
It was a double dumb move by Salmon because the job he didn’t want to get hurt for didn’t come through any ways. Personally I would have liked the commission to have not suspended Salmon, but instead require that he write the entire comments section of this Bloodyelbow.com article 500 times before he got his license back.
by pwrcartel on Oct 20, 2009 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
so he wouldnt be injured and can be a training partner for sum guys , think it was sum1 from jacksons camp
by sexyama on Oct 20, 2009 2:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
He looks a lot more cut than his UFC physique in that pic. Is that a recent pic? He always looked soft to me but here he looks cut..?
by oasis77 on Oct 20, 2009 3:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
A load of crock crap. There is no way they can uphold this for any amount of consistancy. Plus you get the added bonus of making sure fighters aren’t honest about their fights. I agree with pwrcartel, let the promoters blackball him, let the fighters market work it out. When you create an environment where fighters are punished for trying to be honest, you create a moral hazard where more and more fighters are willing to do the wrong thing, as long as they don’t get caught. If it were simply the promoters that regulated this, there would be much less of that. That’s my opinion anyways.
by Dooda on Oct 20, 2009 4:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
"...not fighting to the best of his ability"
So what are the implications for Kalib Starnes, Nick Serra, et al? I’m not asking as a joke, but seriously, couldn’t they be held legally responsible by the commission (had their fights been under it, at least)?
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by themachiavellian on Oct 20, 2009 5:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The "conduct detrimental to the sport"
was admitting he quit.
He probably deserves to be fined for that.
Actually quitting, nothing wrong with that as long as he wasn’t betting on the other guy.
I like using semi-colons; they make me feel smart.
by Llewdor on Oct 20, 2009 7:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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