UFC heavyweight Roy ‘Big Country’ Nelson scored a huge victory last night when he knocked out Brazil’s Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva in the second round of their match at UFC Fight Night 95.
You can read all about it here.
Unfortunately, the knockout over the heavyweight may be spoiled by an equally heavy punishment for kicking veteran MMA referee “Big” John McCarthy.
Roy Nelson kicks & flips off Big John McCarthy for stopping the fight too late #UFCBrasilia pic.twitter.com/IZvmxGigeu
— Ryan (@RJD_96) September 25, 2016
After kicking the referee in the butt, Roy stormed away and flipped him off.
During the post-fight interview, Big Country explained that he was angry at McCarthy for what he believed to be a late stoppage. He told fans in Brazil and viewers all over the world that Bigfoot Silva was his friend, and he certainly did not want to seriously injure him.
Now, it appears Roy Nelson is having some second thoughts about his post-fight behavior. An hour before this article was written, the 240-plus-pound athlete took to Facebook and apologized for assaulting the referee.
hurting my friend @bigfootsilva caught in the moment @JohnMcCarthyMMA I apologize #overreact @ufc #norules #tomannypunches
Posted by Roy "Big Country" Nelson on Sunday, September 25, 2016
Nelson is right to apologize. Though the kick certainly did not hurt Big John – a BJJ black belt who is well over six feet tall – hitting fighters and officials after the match has never been taken lightly by the UFC. Paul Daley stands as clear proof of that.
Furthermore, John McCarthy is one of the most respected referees in the business. He has been officiating MMA bouts since UFC 2 – held in Denver back in 1994 – and along with Herb Dean, has been credited as an “exemplary” referee. An attack against him is therefore likely to come with heavy consequences.
To make matters even worse for Nelson, he has never been a favorite of UFC President Dana White. In fact, the “Bald Father” has repeatedly bad mouthed Big Country in public, calling the heavyweight “stupid” and “delusional.”
But who knows? Maybe White and the relevant authorities (including Big John himself) will not only be in a good mood, but be moved by Nelson’s apology.
For the sake of his career, Roy “Big Country” Nelson had better hope so.
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