Ultimate Fighting Championship Hall of Famer Michael
Bisping believes the rule under which Paddy
Pimblett’s purse is being withheld is extremely
unreasonable.
Pimblett scored a first-round submission win over Benoit St.
Denis at
UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in July. “The Baddy”
hasn’t yet received his purse for the fight due to a highly
criticized rule. Pimblett’s purse is being withheld because he
celebrated his win by jumping on the cage. Max
Holloway and Gable
Steveson, who also celebrated their respective wins at UFC 329
by jumping on the cage, are also under investigation.
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Paddy Pimblett’s UFC 329 purse remains withheld over his
post-fight cage celebration
Bisping believes this rule needs to change for good. The former UFC
middleweight champion believes it is absolutely justified to climb
on the cage after a win.
“It all goes back to when Paddy beat Benoit St. Denis. What did he
do? He celebrated. He jumped on the cage as a lot of fighters do,”
Bisping said on his YouTube channel. “Max Holloway did it. Gable
Steveson did it. And they’re also under investigation and could
have their purses withheld or potentially are going to get fined
thousands of dollars. This is utterly ridiculous. I hate this
rule…”
The Englishman then discussed how he did the same after winning his
title and that it’s hard to contain the excitement of a big win.
“The Count” also believes it’s a way for the athletic commissions
to earn some money on the side.
“I did it at
UFC 199 in California, one of the strictest commissions in the
world,” Bisping added. “A lot of fighters jump on top of the cage.
You’ve just won in front of thousands of people and millions
watching around the world. You’re allowed to celebrate winning.
Boxers jump on the ropes all the time. But MMA fighters jump on the
cage and suddenly they get fined or have their purses withheld.
It’s nonsense. It’s a crime. It’s the athletic commissions trying
to get a few bucks for themselves. This rule needs to be
changed.”