Brandon Saling made big headlines this week after his performance at this past weekend's (March 3, 2012) Strikeforce: "Tate vs. Rousey" mixed martial arts (MMA) event from Columbus, Ohio, losing via technical knockout to Roger Bowling in the second round.
However, It wasn't because of his what he did inside in the Hexagon, which was far from impressive, but rather for the troubling tattoos emblazoned across his body. Specifically, the "88" with accompanying lightning bolts, which means "Hail Hitler," an obvious indication of his support for Nazi beliefs.
That's not all.
Upon further investigation, it was discovered that Saling, who had also previously competed for Bellator in New Jersey at Bellator 59, had a sordid criminal past, one that involved two indictments of sexual misconduct, and an alleged rape of a person under 13 years of age.
At the Strikeforce: "Tate vs. Rousey" post-fight press conference, Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker announced that a full investigation into how a fighter with such a violent criminal record, who is also a registered sex offender, would get licensed to compete for his organization.
Today, at the UFC on Fox 3 pre-fight press conference, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) President Dana White answered that question (via MMA Fighting):
"Apparently what this guy did is he lied on his application to the athletic commission in Ohio and he lied on his application to the athletic commission in New Jersey. So to the best of my understanding, obviously this guy is never going to fight for us ever again, and me might not ever fight again. I know he has been suspended by both states and then all these other commissions follow a suspension from other states. And for this guy to ever get licensed again he'd have to go for a hearing for the athletic commissions. I find it hard to believe that this guy will ever be licensed again so he better go find another job."
It has since been confirmed the Saling’s license in both the state of Ohio and New Jersey, have been revoked and has been officially suspended from competing in MMA for providing false information on his applications.
As White stated, like any suspended fighter, he will have to answer to both, or any other, states' athletic commission should he ever wish to get re-licensed to compete.
However the questions remains, with such a criminal history and now having another mark on his record for lying to athletic commissions, will he or should he ever get approved to fight again in MMA?
Whatever happens, Saling certainly faces an uphill battle after this weekend wherever he roams.