Henri Hooft and Greg Jones of Sanford MMA have both been suspended for 3 months, and fined $500.00 dollars by the Mohegan Tribe Department of Athletic Regulation for breaking quarantine on Tuesday night during fight week for Bellator MMA/BELLATOR 253.
The violation stems from them leaving their hotel rooms while they were supposed to be quarantining and entering the room of their fighter Jason Jackson Mma to train.
According to the director of the Mohegan Tribe association Mike Mazzulli, He found out about the violation via social media. While he didn’t specify, I am guessing it was probably a Facebook or Instagram post of the training, obviously, that’s evidence against them that they unwittingly presented to the commission. Curious to see how UFC President Dana White would react if he has to postpone a fight, especially a title fight, because of the backlash of this incident.
Hooft, had this to say about the incident:
” I don’t know what this is about, I’m 41-0 in COVID-19 tests. And whatever they’re doing it’s so weird. We will talk to my partners at Sanford MMA and see what’s going on”.
Mazzulli is urging other ABC commissions to back this suspension against the coaches of Sanford MMA, which could affect a fight in the UFC between reigning champion Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns which is slated to take place in February. Hooft and Jones have ties with both fighters and are expected to be in the corner of Burns, as Usman has set up camp in Colorado.
Mazzulli said he has already alerted the Nevada State Athletic Commission about the suspensions of both coaches, and that if either violates the protocol again that they will be suspended for one year from the sport
Is this a bit of overkill, and an abuse of power by Mazzulli? At the end of the day, all fighters tested negative, both coaches tested negative, maybe the financial penalty is enough of a warning. By the way, the financial penalty is going to be deducted from the purse of Jackson according to Mazzulli.
Christopher James has been in the MMA industry for 15 years, Working as a ring announcer for promotions like the XFC, Island Fights, Combat Night and Fight Nights Global during his career. Chris’ love for the sport and the athletes that partake in it led him to writing and doing face to face interviews with the athletes he admired and respected. Chris isn’t conventional by any stretch of the imagination, he has his own style, and takes pride in not being a “cookie-cutter” member of the media. Unique and sometimes controversial takes are what he brings to the table, forcing folks to think a little differently about the world of MMA. He also has a love for music as he has been a dj for 25 years and his love for music gets brought to the MMA world when he gets his guests to sing on his weekly show Cage Side with Christopher James which can be seen Wednesday nights on FACEBOOK LIVE, and soon via podcast.