Paddy Pimblett among UFC 329 stars facing NSAC purse withholdings
Paddy Pimblett, Max Holloway, and Gable Steveson face Nevada State Athletic Commission hearings that could withhold portions of their UFC 329 fight purses after they scaled or exited the Octagon cage in post-fight celebration. Paddy Pimblett's manager Graham Boylan says the rule is outdated and calls for immediate change.
Key Takeaways
- Max Holloway, Paddy Pimblett, and Gable Steveson are scheduled for NSAC disciplinary hearings in Las Vegas.
- The hearings center on celebratory cage scaling after first-round wins at UFC 329 on July 11, 2026.
- Portions of their fight purses could be withheld; prior fines have reached $2,500 to $5,000.
- Paddy Pimblett's manager Graham Boylan is pushing for the NSAC rule to be changed.
- The commission has enforced the policy more strictly since Khabib Nurmagomedov jumped the fence at UFC 229.
Why Are Holloway, Pimblett, and Steveson Facing NSAC Hearings?
The Nevada State Athletic Commission listed all three fighters on the agenda for its monthly meeting in Las Vegas, according to MMA Junkie. While the commission cited only vague disciplinary reasons, multiple sources with knowledge of the situation told the outlet the hearings involve celebratory cage leaps after victories at T-Mobile Arena.
Holloway and Pimblett were captured on the UFC 329 broadcast exiting the cage following their first-round stoppage wins. Holloway defeated Conor McGregor, while Pimblett submitted Benoit Saint Denis. Steveson dismantled Elisha Ellison in his heavyweight debut, though his cage climb may have occurred while the broadcast showed replays, MMA Junkie reported.
What Does the NSAC Rule Actually Prohibit?
Commission rules strictly prohibit fighters from leaving the enclosure or climbing over the cage walls immediately after a bout. The policy aims to maintain crowd control and ensure safety in the arena. NSAC has enforced it with increased rigor since Khabib Nurmagomedov jumped the fence at UFC 229 in late 2018, MMA Mania noted.
Fighters often scale the cage in the heat of victory to celebrate with fans, cornermen, or family. That tension between raw emotion and regulatory discipline is now at the center of another high-profile Nevada hearing.
How Much Could the Fighters Lose?
It remains unclear how much Holloway, Pimblett, and Steveson could have withheld or what fine the commission may impose. At UFC 300 in April 2024, Diego Lopes had $5,000 of his disclosed $100,000 show money withheld for scaling the cage, though the commission ultimately landed on a $2,500 fine. Four months later, Mayra Bueno Silva received the same $2,500 penalty at UFC 303 for leaving the cage to speak with Dana White between her TKO stoppage and the official decision reading.
Given that precedent, $2,500 appears to be the figure NSAC was using in 2024, though the commission could take a harder line against three of UFC 329's biggest winners.
Why Is Paddy Pimblett's Manager Calling for a Rule Change?
Paddy Pimblett's manager, Graham Boylan of Intensiti Fighter Management, told MMA Junkie the rule no longer serves the sport. "For the record, this rule needs to be changed," Boylan wrote in a text message. "Yes, it's the fight game, and systems need to be in play to make it all work, but this rule does nothing to support that. It's 2026. Apply a little common sense."
The backlash reflects a broader debate in combat sports over whether post-fight celebrations deserve fines when they pose no clear safety threat. For more on high-profile athlete disputes making headlines, see our Celebrity Breaking News coverage.
What Happens Next?
The NSAC will decide during Wednesday's formal session in Las Vegas whether to withhold purse money or levy administrative fines against Holloway, Pimblett, and Steveson. Historically, the commission has imposed fines rather than stripping full purses for cage-scaling offenses.
Until regulators act, three of UFC 329's most visible winners wait to learn whether their victory laps will cost them thousands of dollars.