Daniel Cormier: UFC 329 stars having purses withheld for celebrating is 'ridiculous'

Daniel Cormier wants to see a rule change after multiple UFC 329 stars face purse withholdings.

Max Holloway, Paddy Pimblett, and Gable Steveson will have disciplinary hearings Wednesday at the Nevada State Athletic Commission’s monthly meeting in Las Vegas to determine if portions of their fight purses will be withheld because they leapt the cage while celebrating their respective wins this past July.

Former UFC dual-champion Cormier is baffled by this rule.

“We are in a sport that at times can be ridiculous,” Cormier said on his YouTube channel. “Three fighters from UFC 329 are having sanctioning hearings for celebrations. I’ve got to be honest with you: That is probably the most ridiculous rule in mixed martial arts. Look, we’ve got rules. You can’t kick each other in the nuts. Of course, you shouldn’t kick each other in the nuts. You should not poke each other in the eyes, and you should not do certain things when you’re fighting. But to tell a fighter to not celebrate with enthusiasm, it’s absurd.

“Because now you’re telling me that Max Holloway, Paddy Pimblett and Gable Steveson are going to go in front of the Nevada State Athletic Commission because of their celebrations. They jumped on top of the cage. Now, you are told you cannot jump on top of the cage when you celebrate. You are told not to jump over the cage and exit the octagon when you celebrate. You are told many, many things. … You can’t help it. You really cannot help it. I believe the Nevada State Athletic Commission and California, they set the standard for commissions around the world, but this rule right here is absolutely absurd.”

Both Holloway and Pimblett were seen leaving the cage after scoring first-round stoppage wins in the UFC 329 co-main and main event. Meanwhile, Steveson was not captured by the broadcast exiting the cage, although it could have happened during replays. Pimblett’s manager, Graham Boylan, told MMA Junkie that the rule is “outdated.”

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Daniel Cormier: UFC 329 stars having purses withheld for celebrating is ‘ridiculous’