Nevada chief Kizer “disappointed” with St-Pierre being “slippery”
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An assistant for Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight champion B.J. Penn told me Monday the fighter intends to file an official complaint to the Nevada State Athletic Commission because Saturday opponent Georges St-Pierre allegedly had his back greased too excessively with a Vaseline-like substance at their Saturday night double-title fight in Las Vegas.
St-Pierre retained his welterweight belt with a dominant performance against Penn, keeping him on the ground for the majority of the fight and delivering dozens of fists and elbows before Penn failed to answer the fifth-round bell.
The Penn assistant, in Hawaii, said Penn complained to a Nevada inspector about the slippery St-Pierre early in the fight.
Nevada State Athletic Commission Executive Officer Keith Kizer told me tonight that he and another inspector on St-Pierre’s side of the octagon thought the greasy substance ‘looked excessive’ and was ordered to be wiped off. St-Pierre’s lead trainer Greg Jackson was seen wiping some of the substance on St-Pierre’s back between rounds, said Kizer, who added he’d rely on videotape evidence should a complaint be filed.
A UFC spokeswoman declined to comment on the issue.
Kizer said there was no complaint on his desk when he left the office at 3:30 today, but if sees one in the morning, he’ll review the situation and proceed.
‘Any licensee who violates rules is subject to discipline including a fine or suspension,’ Kizer said. ‘I gave [St-Pierre’s corner] a stern talking to about how this should not be happening at this level and that their victory could be tainted in the court of public opinion.’
St-Pierre’s camp was not immediately available for comment.
-- Lance Pugmire
