Oklahoma Athletic Commission Explains Roan Carneiro Situation

Last week BattleGrounds MMA O.N.E tournament winner Roan Carneiro stated that the Oklahoma Athletic Commission took $15,000 of his $50,000 in prize money, or about 30%.

Oklahoma Athletic Commission (OAC) Executive Director Joe Miller wrote in an email to MMAFighting why they fined Jucao.

“At weigh in, which occurred at 12 noon Thursday, October 2, I gave my rules meeting as I normally do. During the rules meeting I was very specific (four times) I told the fighters, coaches, seconds, etc, that they must report for their pre-bout physicals at 7:00 and gave the location, which was in the hotel that the fighters were staying in. I also made comment that if they did not show up on time that I may cancel their bout, they may be suspended, or fined. The Commission showed up at the physical room in the hotel at 6:30. The four docs showed up a little before 7:00. Carneiro was not present. He was called and texted with no reply. He finally replied to a text at about 7:15 and said he was on his way down. He was texted again about 10-15 minutes later and did not reply. All of the fighters had completed their physicals and the docs were asking where Carneiro was.

“He finally showed up at 8:05. The commission withheld 30 percent of his purse, pending a hearing, which is our standard procedure for fighters who show up late to a weigh-in, check-in or physical exam. Carneiro will receive a certified letter from the commission (‘Notice of Hearing’) describing his violation and giving him the right to explain and appeal. Upon conclusion of the hearing there will be a findings of fact and an order issued. That order will include any punishment that Carneiro will receive for rule violations. I cannot tell you at this time what that punishment will be.”