Tue, August 25, 2026
3 UFC fighters face a disciplinary hearing and a withheld purse for climbing the cage following their victories
England’s Paddy Pimblett and America’s Max Holloway and Gable Steveson, 3 Mixed Martial Artists, are facing a disciplinary hearing from the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) and a withheld purse for climbing the cage during their victories.
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 329 was a major Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) event which took place in Las Vegas on July 11, 2026. Pimblett was victorious over France’s Benoit Saint-Denis, Holloway was victorious over Ireland’s Conor McGregor, and Steveson over America’s Elisha Ellison. Pimblett allegedly climbed and jumped over the Octagon cage, Steveson allegedly also climbed the cage, and it is claimed Holloway left the cage. The rule in question covers both climbing and leaving the cage in general, as it claims to help keep fighters within the controlled competition area and to help control safety around the cage.
They may now lose some of their fight purse money. For comparison purposes, Brazilian Mixed Martial Artist, Diego Lopes, had to concede $2,500 of his $100,000 award at UFC 300 in 2024 where he jumped over the cage during his victory.
Four months later, Brazilian Mixed Martial Artist, Mayra Bueno Silva, was fined at UFC 303 the same $2,500 amount for leaving the cage to speak with UFC CEO, Dana White, between her Technical Knockout (TKO) stoppage and the official decision reading.
Pimblett’s manager, Graham Boylan, alongside others, have expressed disapproval of the rule: “For the record, this rule needs to be changed…
Yes, it’s the fight game, and systems need to be in play to make it all work, but this rule does nothing to support that…
It’s 2026. Apply a little common sense.”
Former English Mixed Martial Artist and UFC Middleweight champion, Michael Bisping, voiced: “This is utterly ridiculous. I hate this rule…
I did it at UFC 199 in California. 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…
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 the athletic commissions trying to get a few bucks for themselves.”
Former American Mixed Martial Artist, Daniel Cormier, also repeated a similar sentiment: “In those three cases, those guys all experienced euphoria…They experienced this fulfilment that you can't even sit at home and try to replicate.”
It is not yet certain how much, if anything, the 3 fighters will be fined, though it is expected to be around $2,500 based on similar fines handed out in 2024. This has caused a stir, despite the amount likely being relatively insignificant compared with their fight winnings.
