UFC star St. Pierre likely to be cleared

BJ Penn arrived at a Nevada Athletic Commission meeting Tuesday morning armed with a team of lawyers and enough evidence and documents to enter a full-scale trial.

But after more than two hours of discussion regarding a complaint filed against UFC fighter Georges St. Pierre, the commission’s executive director sounded largely unswayed.

“I have no plans to bring a complaint against anybody in this matter,” Keith Kizer said.

Penn is seeking action against St. Pierre, who defeated Penn on Jan. 31 at the MGM Grand Garden for the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s welterweight title. Phil Nurse, one of St. Pierre’s cornermen, can be seen in tape of the bout rubbing the fighter’s back and shoulders after applying Vaseline to his face.

Vaseline may be applied only to a fighter’s face, since a slippery substance on the body makes certain grappling maneuvers difficult to accomplish.

Penn, his lawyer, trainer and even his mother made passionate statements to the commission about what they felt was an egregious example of cheating.

The meeting in the Grant Sawyer Building before the five-member panel was just a review of the facts of the fight. No further items are scheduled on the matter for future commission meetings, but that could change.

Either Kizer or one of the commissioners would have to file a formal complaint for further hearings to be conducted. Given Kizer’s comments, that scenario appears to be a long shot, meaning Penn’s camp is unlikely to get the loss thrown out or see action taken against St. Pierre.

More likely, Penn’s efforts might lead to a change in rules as to how Vaseline can be applied in the course of a fight.

“They could make regulatory changes, they could issue some sort of directive to me or the inspectors or the referees to handle situations differently if they so desire,” Kizer said of the commission’s options. “I don’t think they’ve made any conclusions as to that regard.”

Penn’s attorney said Kizer’s position is unacceptable.

“What I would like to know is, how did Keith Kizer make any of these determinations? How did he come to the conclusions he came to, and what did he review? It’s beyond comprehension,” Raffi Nahabedian said.

He added that the infraction should be treated similarly to a positive steroid test. He applauded the actions the California State Athletic Commission took against boxer Antonio Margarito and his camp after an illegal substance was found in his hand wraps. Margarito and his trainer had their licenses revoked for at least a year.

“Thank God that wasn’t Keith Kizer. Truth be told, what would Kizer have done?” Nahabedian said.

The videotape showing the alleged incident was shown during the meeting. Nurse admitted his actions did not “look good” but maintained his assertion that the contact with St. Pierre’s neck, back and shoulders was part of a breathing exercise.

Penn’s handlers claimed the tape showed “prejudicial angles” and did not show evidence from the actual fight or just how much the Vaseline aided St. Pierre. They said they would leave their own tape, as well as other supporting evidence, with the commission.

St. Pierre did not attend the meeting. His lawyer, Steve Pacitti, said: “If there was an unfair advantage, it was merely Georges’ size and skill on that night.”

Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509.