Michael Bisping rips ‘ridiculous’ reason Paddy Pimblett’s UFC purse is withheld

Michael Bisping has criticized the UFC and athletic commissions for withholding fighter purses over post-fight cage celebrations, calling the policy "utterly ridiculous" and a cash grab by regulators. Paddy Pimblett's purse remains withheld following his first-round submission victory over Benoit St. Denis at UFC 329 in Las Vegas in July, solely because he jumped on the cage in celebration. Max Holloway and Gable Steveson, who performed the same celebratory action at the same event, are also under investigation and face potential fines or purse withholdings.

Bisping, a former UFC middleweight champion, argued that cage celebrations are a natural expression of victory and should be permitted. He noted that he jumped on the cage after winning his own title at UFC 199 in California, one of the sport's strictest athletic commission jurisdictions. "You've just won in front of thousands of people and millions watching around the world. You're allowed to celebrate winning," Bisping said on his YouTube channel.

The Hall of Famer drew a comparison to boxing, where fighters routinely jump on the ropes without consequence. "Boxers jump on the ropes all the time. But MMA fighters jump on the cage and suddenly they get fined or have their purses withheld. It's nonsense," he stated. Bisping believes athletic commissions are using the rule as a pretense to fine fighters and generate revenue. He called for the policy to be scrapped, arguing it has no place in professional combat sports and unfairly penalizes fighters for celebrating legitimate victories.