3 UFC Fighters Fined for Leaving Cage to Celebrate

By the Editorial Team · Friday, August 28, 2026

The Nevada Athletic Commission fined UFC fighters Max Holloway, Paddy Pintbellt, and Gabbie Stevenson $2,500 each for leaving the cage early after their fights at UFC 229, violating safety rules. The fines underscore the commission’s strict enforcement of protocols designed to prevent incidents like the 2018 post-fight brawl and maintain security at Nevada combat sports events.

The Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) has fined three UFC fighters for leaving the cage prematurely during the UFC 229 event held on July 11 in Las Vegas. Max Holloway, Paddy Pintbellt, and Gabbie Stevenson each exited the fighting area following their individual bouts before the official results were announced, a move that violated established safety protocols.

On August 26, during a commission meeting in Las Vegas, the NAC confirmed that the fighters would each be penalized with a $2,500 fine deducted from their earnings. Their fight purses had been temporarily withheld pending the outcome of the disciplinary review.

NAC chairman Dallas Haun emphasized the commission’s firm policy against leaving the cage under any circumstances. “Here in Nevada, we’re very clear with the fighters that you do not leave the cage for any reason,” Haun explained. He also highlighted the importance of maintaining a secure environment for both spectators and participants in Las Vegas events.

Haun referenced a 2018 incident during the same UFC 229 event, where Khabib Nurmagomedov jumped out of the cage towards Conor McGregor’s cornerman Dillon Danis, igniting a large-scale brawl involving multiple individuals both inside and outside the arena. The altercation resulted in nearly ten minutes of chaos and overcrowded holding cells at the T-Mobile Arena.

While acknowledging that Holloway, Pintbellt, and Stevenson’s actions appeared to be celebratory gestures intended to greet UFC CEO Dana White, Haun cautioned that even seemingly innocuous actions could escalate quickly under the charged atmosphere of a fight night. “Someone from the crowd behind Dana screaming something could change that in an instant,” he said.

Commissioner Anthony Marnell echoed the sentiment, recognizing the emotional intensity inherent to UFC matches but stressing that safety protocols must be respected at all times. “I get the celebration, I get the emotion that goes on between all these guys, including Dana. But it just can’t happen any more,” Marnell noted.

The fines imposed serve as a reminder of the NAC’s commitment to preventing disruptions and ensuring the safety of fighters, staff, and fans during combat sports events in Nevada.

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