NSAC Hearings Scheduled For Diaz, Palhares & Shields
MMAFighting.com has reported that the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) has finally scheduled disciplinary hearings for UFC welterweight and middleweight Nick Diaz, WSOF (World Series of Fighting) welterweight contender Jakes Shields, and WSOF welterweight champion Rousimar Palhares.
All three fighters’ hearings will take place next Monday, September 14, 2015.
The Stockton bad boy Diaz has been waiting for this hearing for quite some time now, as he is set to go before the commission regarding a failed drug test surrounding his UFC 183 bout with Anderson “The Spider” Silva back in January. Ironically, Silva also failed multiple drug tests, and was recently handed a one year suspension.
Unlike Silva who popped for performance-enhancing-drugs (PEDs), Diaz tested positive for Marijuana metabolites. This is the third time in which the former Strikeforce champion has popped for Marijuana, and he could be facing a hefty fine, as well as a suspension.
Shields, and Palhares on the other hand are not going before the commission for anything to do with drug tests, but rather controversy that took place when the two squared off for the WSOF 170-pound title on August 1, 2015 at WSOF 22.
Palhares, who won the bout via submission, has been criticized in the past for holding on to his lethal submission holds too long, and was even released from the UFC back in 2013 for that very reason. The pattern has seemed to continue, and “Toquinho” took it too far this time, repeatedly eye gouging Shields throughout the bout, as well as once again holding on to his fight ending kimura after Shields had clearly tapped.
Palhares has been indefinitely suspended by the WSOF, and could receive a much harsher punishment from the NSAC.
Shields may seem like the victim here, but he will also go before the commission due to his retaliation, as he threw a punch at Palhares after the Brazilian finally let go of the hold. Although many may say that Shields was justified to do what he did, he still violated the rules, and could face some sort of consequence.
What type of punishment should each man receive?
