NSAC Withholds Sobral’s Win Bonus
The Nevada State Athletic Commission on Friday voted unanimously to
withhold Renato Sobral's
(Pictures) $25,000 win bonus following
the Brazilian's actions last Saturday during his submission victory
over David Heath
(Pictures) at UFC 74.
Keith Kizer, Executive Director of the NSAC, stated at Friday's hearing in Las Vegas that he would not seek a suspension against the 31-year-old Rio de Janeiro native, though a formal disciplinary complaint has been filed. Sobral faces additional fines and a suspension pending a review by the commission.
During a preliminary bout at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on Aug. 25, Sobral rendered Heath unconscious after locking the Tulsa, Okla. light heavyweight's neck in an anaconda choke and refusing to acknowledge a tap. Referee Steve Mazzagatti reacted by attempting to forcibly unlock Sobral's arms from the unconscious fighter until the hold was released some three seconds after the initial tap.
Following the fight, Sobral told UFC's Joe Rogan he intentionally held onto the choke because Heath, also 31, called him a "motherf---er" at Friday's weigh-in.
On Thursday the UFC announced in a teleconference with media that it had taken the unprecedented step of releasing Sobral due to his actions inside the octagon.
Appearing in front of the NSAC on Friday with his manager and attorney Richard Wilner, Sobral issued a short apology to Heath, and expressed remorse for hurting mixed martial arts in any way.
Keith Kizer, Executive Director of the NSAC, stated at Friday's hearing in Las Vegas that he would not seek a suspension against the 31-year-old Rio de Janeiro native, though a formal disciplinary complaint has been filed. Sobral faces additional fines and a suspension pending a review by the commission.
During a preliminary bout at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on Aug. 25, Sobral rendered Heath unconscious after locking the Tulsa, Okla. light heavyweight's neck in an anaconda choke and refusing to acknowledge a tap. Referee Steve Mazzagatti reacted by attempting to forcibly unlock Sobral's arms from the unconscious fighter until the hold was released some three seconds after the initial tap.
Following the fight, Sobral told UFC's Joe Rogan he intentionally held onto the choke because Heath, also 31, called him a "motherf---er" at Friday's weigh-in.
On Thursday the UFC announced in a teleconference with media that it had taken the unprecedented step of releasing Sobral due to his actions inside the octagon.
Appearing in front of the NSAC on Friday with his manager and attorney Richard Wilner, Sobral issued a short apology to Heath, and expressed remorse for hurting mixed martial arts in any way.
