http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/NSAC-D ... peal-21718The Nevada State Athletic Commission on Monday denied the appeal of Jon Jones, who had requested that his disqualification loss to Matt Hamill at “The Ultimate Fighter 10” Finale on Dec. 5 be overturned.
Jones, who entered the bout unbeaten, was disqualified by referee Steve Mazzagatti after he struck Hamill with repeated illegal downward elbows to the face.
“We got the letter on Monday,” said Ryan Ciotoli, one of Jones’ representatives with BombSquad Sports Management. “It basically said they didn’t overturns decisions they had made. That’s something we had heard when [we filed the appeal], but we were hoping they would take a look at it.”
The 22-year-old Jones, a blossoming superstar at 205 pounds, dominated his match with Hamill, up until the stoppage.
“Nobody wants to lose,” Ciotoli said. “He knows he put on a good performance. We talked with him about the protest, and he was for it. He just wanted things looked at, whether it was overturned or not. He’s fine with everything.”
In the original complaint, BombSquad Sports Management representatives called the criteria used to determine whether or not Hamill could continue “flawed,” citing Mazzagatti’s decision to ask Hamill, a legally deaf athlete whose vision had been impaired by blood, “Are you done?” The complaint also claimed that proper protocol was not followed, since none of the ringside physicians assessed Hamill’s condition prior to the stoppage.
The complaint also cited a statement posted on Hamill’s Web site in which he pointed to a shoulder injury he suffered during a takedown prior to the illegal blows. “I knew it was probably over at that point,” Hamill wrote. Jones’ representatives also called into question the use of instant replay and the decision that was based upon it. Their independent review, according to the complaint, showed that the illegal blows did not cause the lacerations to Hamill’s face.
“We had some good points,” Ciotoli said. “Nothing against them. We just wanted them to review it. Everybody makes mistakes, and you’ve got to take a look at those mistakes. To not do that is wrong. It’s unfortunate they didn’t even look anything over, but we kind of knew that going in. If they did decide to look at it and overturn the decision, it would not make them look weak.”
NSAC officials did not immediately reply to requests for comment.