Paddy Pimblett, Max Holloway, and Gable Steveson are all facing Nevada Athletic Commission disciplinary hearings after climbing the cage to celebrate their victories at UFC 329 on July 11. The commission's rules prohibit cage-scaling in Nevada, with previous violations resulting in $2,500 fines, and the trio currently have their purses withheld pending the hearings. Daniel Cormier has publicly criticised the regulation, calling it 'the most ridiculous rule in mixed martial arts' and arguing that fighters should be free to celebrate with enthusiasm.
Three fighters who competed at UFC 329 on July 11 are now facing disciplinary proceedings in Nevada after each climbed the cage to celebrate their respective victories, a move that runs afoul of state athletic commission rules.
Paddy Pimblett, Max Holloway, and wrestler-turned-UFC competitor Gable Steveson have all had their fight-night purses withheld pending hearings before the Nevada Athletic Commission. The regulation banning cage-scaling has been on the books for some time, and prior violations have carried fines of $2,500. Whether the three fighters face similar penalties, larger ones, or some other sanction will be determined at their hearings.
Pimblett, 31, carries a 24-4 record and ranks fifth in the lightweight division. The Liverpool native fights out of Next Generation MMA and has built a reputation for crowd-pleasing performances, landing 5.48 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy while averaging 1.4 submission attempts per 15 minutes — numbers that reflect both his aggression and his grappling instincts.
Holloway, 34, sits fourth in the lightweight rankings and ninth on the pound-for-pound list with a 28-9 record. The Hawaiian is one of the most prolific strikers in the sport, averaging 6.92 significant strikes per minute, and his post-fight enthusiasm has long been a fixture of his performances.
The third fighter cited, Steveson, is not among the verified database entries available, though his name appears alongside Pimblett and Holloway in the commission's actions.
The situation has drawn public comment from Daniel Cormier, the retired two-division champion who holds a 22-3 record. Cormier called the cage-climbing ban "the most ridiculous rule in mixed martial arts" and argued that athletes should be permitted to celebrate with full enthusiasm after a hard-fought win.
Why it matters
- Three prominent fighters face potential fines at a time when purses are already withheld, creating financial uncertainty
- The Nevada Athletic Commission's enforcement puts the cage-scaling rule under renewed scrutiny across the sport
- Cormier's criticism amplifies the debate over whether the regulation balances safety concerns against the celebratory culture of MMA
