Wanderlei Silva gets lifetime ban

[Karelinator]

This isn't the United States justice system. It's an athletic commission and they're free to govern as they see fit. Wanderlei...and Chael...both knew that. It's an agreement they made in attempting to get a license at any point in that state.

If they want to ban him for 30 lifetimes, it's their call, and Wand knew that going in and has NO ONE to blame but himself...just like Chael. Can't blame this on the ref...can't blame it on Dana...can't blame it on an interpreter...can't blame it on not understanding the rules.

It's Wanderlei's fault, just like it's Chael's fault.

So you're suggesting it's OK when body that is supposed to make sport 'legit' can ruin careers at their whim according to non-existing rules?

Doesn't sound very legit to me.

 

[LUDELOW]

this proves the NSAC is corrupt and has different standards for every mma fighter.
how can you fine someone $70,000, from a fight which did not take place and you did not get payed for and also are unlicensed for, totally insane

 

[Bedroomrockstar]

I don't know how things work there, but NSAC is a government agency. Isn't there a possibility of them getting this money legally, should Wand refuse to pay?

Athletic commissions are governed by state regulation. It depends on whether the statute(s) creating the commission grant the commission the authority to collect those penalties via liens, wage garnishments, etc. I'm not licensed in Nevada, so I couldn't give you anymore information than that.

 

[kmeyers]

I don't know how things work there, but NSAC is a government agency. Isn't there a possibility of them getting this money legally, should Wand refuse to pay?

Yes it's just like not paying your taxes. They can levy your bank account and foreclose on your property.

Unless his lawyer can prove they had no power over him since he had no fight scheduled at the time, or whatever loophole they were working on.

His lawyer has already appealed the case, so I guess we'll see.

 

[iwhoopedbatman]

The nsac went a long way towards proving their critics right today

 

[Gametheory]

How is it wrong?

It's sending a simple message; running from a drug test is worse than pissing hot.

The real issue here isn't that they didn't hit Chael with a lifetime ban, the real issue is that they should have hit Overeem with one.

The ban for refusing to test SHOULD be greater than the one for testing positive.

That's exactly what I'm saying: Wand gets banned, but Overeem doesn't.
They both did the same thing, yet Wand gets punished more heavily.

And I'm an Overeem fan, and don't like Wand at all.

 

[sodomanaz]

Some of you are being a bit crazy with your UFC hate in this thread. There is little reason for the UFC to want Wanderlei banned for life from competing, He's under contract with them and is a pretty big draw. Even with his nonsensical retirement rant, he would still be welcomed with open arms the first PPV they could slap his name on if he was banned for 1-2 years.

However, Wanderlei spit in the face of the commission by admitting to running from the test because of his use of a banned diuretic for a freaking booboo. He was then quoted multiple times about how he was free and clear from punishment and pretty much bragged about how his lawyer found a glorious loophole. Maybe if he just shut up and showed the tiny bit of remorse this wouldn't have happened.

It's pretty sad how this ended but the man dug his own hole. It's not the UFC's, the NSAC's, or the fault of anyone else but Wanderlei.

 

[countswagula]

Yes it's just like not paying your taxes. They can levy your bank account and foreclose on your property.

I seriously doubt an Athletic Commission would have that jurisdiction

 

[chokeyou]

The worst assumption you can make about someone not taking a drug test is that they would have tested positive. So why should an incognito carry a heftier punishment than the worst possible result? Are there any substances one could possibly test positive for that would result in a lifetime ban?

The commission and the public have a right to know what drugs a fighter is on when they are fighting under a government issued license. Everyone would just run so they can save face and claim they just needed something for their wrist like Wanderlei did. It's a deterrent and the just result. It's just like having a harsher driver's license suspension if you refuse a breath test as opposed to just getting a dui.

 

[Bedroomrockstar]

Yes it's just like not paying your taxes. They can levy your bank account and foreclose on your property.

Could you point me to that statute or regulation? I'm just curious to see it. Nevada may have established similar guidelines for nonpayment, but it is not the same as not paying your taxes. Tax law is an animal unto itself, and has some of the broadest mechanisms for collection of debt. Very few government agencies have such broad powers, with the primary exception in most states being child support enforcement.

 

[InsideLegKick]

So you're suggesting it's OK when body that is supposed to make sport 'legit' can ruin careers at their whim according to non-existing rules?

Doesn't sound very legit to me.

I'm not arguing that the NAC isn't corrupt. But as currently set up, they can do exactly what they've done. Fighters who do not like it, do not have to participate in it.

I don't like it, either, but it is what it is.

Now that they're setting these precedents, though, it may make it easier for lawyers to argue. And if I'm Wand's lawyer, I'm asking why Overeem didn't get a lifetime ban.

 

[InsideLegKick]

The commission and the public have a right to know what drugs a fighter is on when they are fighting under a government issued license. Everyone would just run so they can save face and claim they just needed something for their wrist like Wanderlei did. It's a deterrent and the just result. It's just like having a harsher driver's license suspension if you refuse a breath test as opposed to just getting a dui.

I agree with this.

 

[KSchwarz]

Athletic commissions are governed by state regulation. It depends on whether the statute(s) creating the commission grant the commission the authority to collect those penalties via liens, wage garnishments, etc. I'm not licensed in Nevada, so I couldn't give you anymore information than that.

Are you a fighter or a lawyer? lol

Unless his lawyer can prove they had no power over him since he had no fight scheduled at the time, or whatever loophole they were working on.

His lawyer has already appealed the case, so I guess we'll see.

They're definitely challenging NSAC's argument that "a fighter showing intention to fight" is enough for them to have jurisdiction over the fighter.

 

[Scoop]

Just move to Brazil and give NSAC the middle finger. What are they gonna do? Put Interpol on his ass?

 

[chokeyou]

Could you point me to that statute or regulation? I'm just curious to see it. Nevada may have established similar guidelines for nonpayment, but it is not the same as not paying your taxes. Tax law is an animal unto itself, and has some of the broadest mechanisms for collection of debt. Very few government agencies have such broad powers, with the primary exception in most states being child support enforcement.

It's possible that they have to reduce the fine to a judgment before foreclosing on your property or garnishing your bank account, but the point is that they have legal remedies for collection. I could do the research since I'm an attorney but I'm too lazy lol

 

[countswagula]

The commission and the public have a right to know what drugs a fighter is on when they are fighting under a government issued license. Everyone would just run so they can save face and claim they just needed something for their wrist like Wanderlei did. It's a deterrent and the just result. It's just like having a harsher driver's license suspension if you refuse a breath test as opposed to just getting a dui.

Wanderlei wasn't licensed or applying for a license at the time of not taking the test so the whole situation seems pretty moot to me. Again, I have no expertise on the matter but I fail to see how they could possibly have ANY jurisdiction to fine him, and I hope to god Wanderlei doesn't pay them a dime even if he were juiced to the gills. This is literally government approved extorsion at this point.

It's also worth noting he didn't sign any of the papers the NSAC representative asked him to when he showed up for the surprise tests, which was very wise of him to do. Seriously, I don't see how he has any liability to be forced to pay any money whatsoever unless he seeks a Nevada license in the future

 

[MikeyLan]

So that's why he "retired".

 

[Francis Rossi]

Some of you are being a bit crazy with your UFC hate in this thread. There is little reason for the UFC to want Wanderlei banned for life from competing, He's under contract with them and is a pretty big draw. Even with his nonsensical retirement rant, he would still be welcomed with open arms the first PPV they could slap his name on if he was banned for 1-2 years.

However, Wanderlei spit in the face of the commission by admitting to running from the test because of his use of a banned diuretic for a freaking booboo. He was then quoted multiple times about how he was free and clear from punishment and pretty much bragged about how his lawyer found a glorious loophole. Maybe if he just shut up and showed the tiny bit of remorse this wouldn't have happened.

It's pretty sad how this ended but the man dug his own hole. It's not the UFC's, the NSAC's, or the fault of anyone else but Wanderlei.

Pretty much this. Won't get through to the people that think fighters should pump themselves full of every drug going and then die of a heart attack at 45 though. Or the ones that can't see for the tin foil hat that's fallen over their eyes.

 

[Bladderbuster]

 

[Deleted member 110072]

NSAC said that in many instances fighters don't even officially have their license until a few days before the fight. It wouldn't be feasible if they didn't have jurisdiction because fighters would always refuse tests up until a few days before the fight when they receive their license.

Theres a difference between the NSAC wanting to test fighters whilst there not licensed and legally having the ability to fine them though.