The Nevada Athletic Commission now has precedent when it comes to disciplining fighters who compete injured or ill but do not disclose their health ailments.
On Wednesday, the NAC suspended UFC heavyweight Ilir Latifi for three months after he competed Oct. 1 at UFC Fight Night 212 with a possible staph infection. Latifi revealed the ailment in his in-cage interview and said he fought with a swollen leg and fever.
While his purse was not fined, Latifi won’t fight until Jan. 1 and will have to pay legal fees for the commission’s process.
In October, the commission said Latifi failed to inform the promotion or commission of his infection prior to admitting it on camera. The commission called the decision “risky” and added the “behavior cannot be tolerated.”
Nevada commissioners declared the suspension a precedent for similar issues going forward. The commission also denoted harsher punishments could come in the future, depending on the circumstances surrounding each incident.
One commissioner also mentioned a recent incident involving Darrick Minner, a fighter who allegedly competed injured, which drove a suspicious betting line the UFC is currently investigating. The commission said it too will investigate the matter to see if Minner did not disclose an injury.
