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Bob Bennett

Bob Bennett8 posts

Bob Bennett is the Executive Director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

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16 Oct, 2016

Commission: Fine only $75,000

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Bennett, the Executive Director of the Nevada Athletic Commission, says McGregor’s $150,000 fine has been misinterpreted, and that he will only pay $75,000 for the water bottle incident. The $150,000 number includes the $75,000 fine plus the value of a public-service announcement McGregor must do for the commission. McGregor also has to serve 50 hours of community service.

It appears the media and others got it wrong…I understand that he’s upset. I understand that he commands a phenomenal following and paydays and he’s a world-renowned champ. I get that he’s frustrated — $75,000 is a lot of money. But I think the remark is inappropriate. In fairness to Conor — and I say this with the utmost respect — I just don’t think he understands how the system works when he’s fined. [McGregor] wasn’t suspended, nor were people in either fighter’s camp that participated in this…I’ll be the first to say that we’ve got it right sometimes and we haven’t gotten it right other times. When we don’t, we want to right the wrong.

1 Dec, 2016

McGregor denied Nevada boxing license

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Executive Director Bennett says the Nevada Athletic Commission denied an application by McGregor for a licence to box in Nevada. This is due in part to outstanding issues with the state: McGregor has not paid a $75,000 fine for the August bottle-throwing incident during a news conference at the MGM Grand. He must also produce an anti-bullying video. He is currently appealing the fine. Bennett also says that he would have to watch McGregor in a sparring session – either on video or in person – before making a determination if he’s qualified to receive a license to box. Bennett:

Mr. McGregor is an incredibly gifted fighter and athlete. He obviously knows what he’s doing as a fighter and I have the utmost respect for his abilities. But it is a different sport.

7 Dec, 2016

McGregor petitions for judicial review of Nevada fine

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According to Clark County, Nevada, civil court records, McGregor has filed a petition for judicial review of his $150,000 fine for the water bottle fight with Nate Diaz before UFC 202. The suit names NSAC Executive Director Bennett and the NSAC as respondents. A hearing date has yet to be scheduled and there is no further comment from McGregor or Bennett.

14 Feb, 2017

McGregor meets with NSAC to discuss fine reduction

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McGregor, along with his attorneys and manager, meets Bennett and Mantell of the Nevada State Athletic Commission in Las Vegas, to ask for a rehearing of punishment order for  throwing a water bottle at UFC 202. McGregor has said that the punishment — a $75,000 fine, an anti-bullying public service announcement with a production value of $75,000, and 50 hours of community service — was too stiff. Chairman Bennett says he agrees with McGregor’s position and says the punishment should be reduced to $25,000 fine plus 25 hours of community service. The commission will hear McGregor’s request when it reconvenes on March 22. Once a settlement has been agreed, McGregor can reapply for a boxing license. Bennett:

I think it’s important that the public knows that the chairman, upon speaking with Conor, realized a wrong was done and he’d like to make it right. We don’t always get it right. We’ve made mistakes in the past. The chairman lives by example.

15 Feb, 2017

NSAC Director: We will approve McGregor-Mayweather fight

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Nevada State Athletic Commission Executive Director Bennett says he doesn’t anticipate any issues in regards to the sanctioning of the possible Mayweather-McGregor bout.

That’s certainly a fight that we would approve and have in Vegas. Who wouldn’t want to regulate the two best fighters at 150 pounds in their respective unarmed combat fields? Mayweather’s a phenomenal fighter, and so is McGregor. Sure, that’s a fight we would approve…[McGregor]’s a phenomenal athlete. He’s arguably one of the best strikers from the UFC. He’s in great shape; he’s hardcore, he trains hard, fights hard. Mayweather is arguably one of the best fighters of all time because he doesn’t believe in getting hit. But let’s not forget Floyd (will be) 40 and Conor is 28, so it’d make for a great fight.

22 Mar, 2017

$150,000 bottle-throwing fine reduced to $25,000

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At a hearing in Las Vegas McGregor’s punishment for the water-bottle throwing incident before UFC 202 is reduced from $150,000 and 50 hours community service to $25,000 and 25 hours of community service, the same terms suggested by the Nevada attorney general’s office ahead of the initial hearing in October 2016. McGregor has six months to complete the community service and can do so in either Dublin or Las Vegas. The board’s chairman suggests that Nate Diaz, who was fined $50,000 and given 50 hours of community service for his part in the incident, should be reheard. NSAC executive director Bennett:

I just didn’t think [the original $150,000 fine] was fair.

5 Apr, 2017

Nevada State Commission: McGregor still to apply for boxing license

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NSAC Executive Director Bennett says McGregor has pad his dues and is now eligible for a boxing license in the state.

Conor has paid the fine, he’s paid the Deputy Attorney General’s fees and has been a man of his word. All he has to do now, if he’s so inclined to, is apply for a boxing license. He’s certainly eligible and we hope that he does…We are the fight capital of the world and we’d love to have him back here in Vegas. We had a very productive, professional and cordial meeting with Conor and his attorneys. His litigation is over, he’s paid his fine as we had a rehearing and he paid what was asked of him. Floyd set a fine example for all boxers before he got out of the business, but now he may come back in for the fight with Conor, so it’s definitely an approvable fight and a great one.

19 May, 2017

McGregor applies for boxing license in Nevada

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NSAC Director Bennett says McGregor has submitted his application for a boxing license. According to Bennett, McGregor’s application was incomplete due to missing medical documents, but the commission will consider McGregor’s request once those are provided. McGregor was ineligible to receive a boxing license in Nevada as recently as March, due to an outstanding fine for his involvement in a UFC media conference last year. It is expected that the license will be approved. Bennett:

Conor is intimately familiar with our licensing procedures, having fought here multiple times for the UFC. When he has time, and all sides have come to a contractual agreement, I’m sure he will fulfill our requirements, and we look forward to having him fight in Nevada…McGregor is younger, taller, has a longer reach and most of his wins in MMA have come by knockout, which shows he’s a talented striker. I think both are phenomenal fighters with exceptional skills.