Poached Salmon: Former UFC fighter suspended and fined for fishy fight fiasco

by Jesse Holland on Oct 20, 2009 3:02 PM EDT

Former UFC light heavyweight Sean Salmon has been suspended for one year and fined $2500 by the Ohio Athletic Commission for comments he made following a June 6 loss to Allan Weickert at "Fight Nite in the Flats 5."

Ohio State Athletic Commission Executive Director Bernie Profato informed MMAmania.com of the suspension earlier today.

Salmon, an Ohio native who also operates his S.S. Combat & Fitness Center in the area, blogged that he "gave" Weickert an armbar submission win at the aforementioned bout to avoid further damage.

The troubled fighter, who is perhaps best known for a brutal knockout loss to Rashad Evans at UFC Fight Night 8, also admitted that his purpose for exiting the fight unscathed was to preserve his role as a training partner for Michael Bisping and Cheick Kongo for their upcoming fights.

His admission set off a firestorm on the message boards among mixed martial arts purists and he has since attempted to clarify his incendiary remarks.

Unfortunately his explanation was unsatisfactory for the Commission, who suspended and fined him following an Oct. 14 hearing. The suspension is considered retroactive and will expire on June 6, 2010.

Because stateside suspensions are usually upheld by commissions nationwide, Salmon could have to look for work overseas if he chooses to keep fighting, much like he did at Finland's "Fight Festival 26" on Oct. 17.

Or he could join DMX on the undercard of "Alabama Pride" on Dec. 12, in a state that does not regulate mixed martial arts.

"S" gon' give it to ya' (literally, in Weickert's case).

Tweet Comment 17 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Not to worry Salmon, your in-cage magnificense will live on in UFC highlight reels until infinity.

by PW on Oct 20, 2009 3:08 PM EDT reply actions

I don’t see the big deal. Isn’t the point of anyone tapping to prevent further damage? WTF?!

by wAyNe on Oct 20, 2009 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions

He essentially admitted to throwing a fight.

by PW on Oct 20, 2009 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions

He didn’t throw the fight, he quit the fight because he was afraid to get hurt. You know, like BJ Penn vs. GSP. :)

by pacalis on Oct 20, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions

If he was worth a damn I might be upset, but he isn’t so I’m not.

by PW on Oct 20, 2009 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions

"S" gon’ give it to ya’ (literally, in Weickert’s case).

nice

by kokondo on Oct 20, 2009 3:09 PM EDT reply actions

No different than tapping due to strikes or rolling over to give up your back and letting a RNC sink in.

by yoda on Oct 20, 2009 3:25 PM EDT reply actions

The OSAC is a joke. They mandate same day weigh-ins, then allowed the UFC to do their thing, then didnt allow the WEC to follow suit which is why the Cerrone/Henderson. Why have rules if someone can buy their way out of it. The OSAC now also governs amatuer fights and treats the guys like pros as if they train full-time and get paid.

by BoBBy on Oct 20, 2009 3:28 PM EDT reply actions

This suspension/fine thing is what seems fishy. If I were Salmon I would bring this to court. He is the fighter and he is allowed to say when its too much damage. Thats the point of tapping out.

by RyGuy on Oct 20, 2009 3:37 PM EDT reply actions

Of course, but he didn’t say it was too much damage. He ssaid he proved himself it was NOT damaging – then threw the fight.

by kokondo on Oct 20, 2009 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions

The MMA Junkie poster boy is not the brightest bulb in the world.

by ducknow on Oct 20, 2009 4:09 PM EDT reply actions

mma junkie sucks..

by guyverbob on Oct 20, 2009 8:47 PM EDT up reply actions

I wrote a post critical of Salmon on MMA Junkie. I was treated like I raped a nun by the guy who runs it. That site is JUNK.

by Tiger Mike on Oct 20, 2009 9:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Dude is a joke and a disgrace to mma why fight if not to try and win was it for that “huge” payday in Ohio I doubt it it’s cause he’s a joke

by Dazzle on Oct 20, 2009 4:15 PM EDT reply actions

As soon as Salmon opened his mouth he was always going to get suspended, serves him right for being an idiot. I still don’t know why Bisping and Kongo wanted to train with him in the first place, hardly the most qualified training partner for any fighter with title aspirations, no matter how deluded they are.

by David W-S on Oct 20, 2009 7:42 PM EDT reply actions