LAS VEGAS -- UFC heavyweight Roy Nelson issued a public apology Friday for his actions after a knockout victory over Antonio Silva on Sept. 24 in Brasilia, Brazil.
Nelson (22-13) knocked out Silva with punches in the second round and felt referee John McCarthy waited too long to stop the fight, which resulted in Silva taking unnecessary punches.
After stepping away from McCarthy, Nelson came back and pushed the veteran referee's backside with his foot. He also raised his middle finger in McCarthy's direction.
As initially reported by MMAFighting.com, Brazil's Superior Justice Court of MMA suspended Nelson nine months for his actions and fined him more than $23,000.
In its official decision, the Brazilian court stated it would reduce Nelson's sanctions to a six-month suspension and significantly lower his fine if the UFC "authorizes [Nelson] to make [a] formal apology."
Nelson issued that apology Friday, immediately following "The Ultimate Fighter Finale" weigh-ins in Las Vegas.
"I would like to apologize to the fans that make our sport great, the Brazilian commission, John McCarthy, the rest of the world, my team and especially my family, for my actions in my last fight," Nelson said.
"My actions were out of character. I have nothing against anyone, including John McCarthy. I recognize what I did was a mistake and I was wrong. I can't apologize enough to John McCarthy, the commission and MMA fans around the world. I can't wait to get back into the Octagon to entertain the fans."
The Brazilian court has not yet issued a statement regarding Nelson's apology.
