Max Holloway, Paddy Pimblett, and Gable Steveson Facing NSAC Disciplinary Hearing

The Nevada State Athletic Commission is taking a hardline stance once again. Ahead of its upcoming monthly hearing, the NSAC has put three of the biggest winners from UFC 329 on notice. Max Holloway, Paddy Pimblett, and Gable Steveson are all scheduled for disciplinary hearings regarding the potential withholding of their fight purses.

While the commission listed vague "disciplinary reasons" on its official agenda, the disciplinary action stems from fighters scaling or exiting the Octagon fence after their victories at the T-Mobile Arena.

Strict Enforcement and Backlash

Commission rules strictly prohibit fighters from leaving the enclosure or climbing over the cage walls immediately after a bout. The policy, enforced with increased rigor since Khabib Nurmagomedov jumped the fence at UFC 229, aims to maintain crowd control and ensure safety. However, fighters often scale the canvas in the heat of victory to celebrate with fans, cornermen, or family members.

The three fighters in question all enjoyed dominant performances on the fight card. Max Holloway picked up a major victory over Conor McGregor, taking his professional record to 27-8 with 12 knockouts. Meanwhile, Paddy Pimblett submitted Benoit Saint Denis in the first round to push his record to 23-3, and heavy-hitting Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson dismantled Elisha Ellison to move to 4-0.

Rather than celebrating their massive wins, all three men now face potential monetary fines or withheld purses. The situation has already drawn sharp criticism from managers and fans who view the rule as outdated. Pimblett's manager, Graham Boylan, pushed back against the commission's strict stance, calling for an immediate policy overhaul and urging regulators to exercise "common sense" regarding post-fight celebrations.

Historically, the NSAC has levied administrative fines rather than stripping full purses for cage-scaling offenses. At UFC 300, featherweight contender Diego Lopes received a $5,000 fine for jumping the fence to speak with UFC CEO Dana White. Whether the commission opts for standard fines or takes a harsher stance against Holloway, Pimblett, and Steveson will be decided during Wednesday's formal session in Las Vegas.