Pedro Munhoz’s temporary suspension for jumping over the Octagon fence following his victory at UFC 235 has been extended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
The NSAC voted unanimously on Wednesday to extend the temporary suspension, which was enacted when Muhnoz jumped over the Octagon fence following his knockout victory against Cody Garbrandt at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on March 2.
Munhoz will remain on temporary suspension until he appears before the NSAC for a formal disciplinary hearing. “The Young Punisher” is accused of ignoring the commission’s instructions to remain in the Octagon after the fight.
“Our inspectors were specifically advised by me to make sure the fighters knew they were not authorized to jump out of the cage,” NSAC executive director Bob Bennett recently told MMAFighting.com.
The NSAC policy is in place to prevent fighters from injuring themselves or others in the vicinity. It existed prior to the post-fight melee that ensued when Khabib Nurmagomedov left the Octagon to attack Conor McGregor cornerman Dillon Danis after their main event bout at UFC 229 on Oct. 6.
NSAC guidelines state the following: “An unarmed combatant shall not leave the ring or, if the contest or exhibition is being held in a fenced area, the fenced area, during any period of rest that follows a period of unarmed combat.”
Munhoz stopped Garbrandt, the former bantamweight champion, at the 4:51 mark of the opening round. The 32-year-old American Top Team representative has won three straight fights within the promotion.