Jason High Released from UFC for Push on Referee

Jason High Released from UFC for Push on Referee

by Chris Houten - @mrhouts

Jason High has been released from the UFC following a shove on referee Kevin Mulhall after disagreeing with a TKO stoppage at this past weekend’s UFC Fight Night 45. UFC president, Dana White confirmed the fighters release easier today:

“He’s cut,” White told UFC.com. “I’m going to cut him. I look at that the way (Paul) Daley put his hands on his opponent after a fight was over. You don’t ever, ever f—ing touch a referee, ever. You’re done here. He’s been apologising on Twitter, but he’s done.”

After putting together a 3-0 run under the Strikeforce banner, High 18-5 MMA, 2-3 UFC) rejoined the UFC, where he fought 1 time in 2010 losing Charlie Brenneman.

A 23 fight veteran who has fought for many of the top promotions including DREAM and Affliction plus the previously mentioned Strikeforce, High suffered a submission loss to Erick Silva in his return to the organisation. Following the loss to Silva High defeated both James Head and Anthony Lapsley, before dropping done to lightweight to face dos Anjos where the incident with Mulhall occurred.

High has yet to release a statement following his release, he did however take to twitter directly after the fight to say the following:

“Incredibly sorry & embarrassed for the ref incident, will never happen again.”

UFC announces more fights for UFC 166 and Fight Night 27

Latest fight announcements for UFC 166 and UFC Fight Night 27

by Jack Broadey @J3cK_b

Mike Rio vs Tony Ferguson has been added to UFC 166. Both men are in desperate need of a return to the win column. The TUF 13 winner Ferguson is coming off a loss to Michael Johnson and has taken time off to prepare for this fight.

Rio who is also a TUF veteran is coming off a big submission loss to Francisco Trinaldo.

It is certainly a fight both men can not afford to lose, I just hope they turn up to fight and not try and play it safe to get the win.

As well as that fight Jason High v James Head has also been added to UFC Fight Night-Condit v Kampmann 2. The bout fills up the nights card and the event is now complete. Head was originally scheduled to face Bobby Voelker but he was pulled to face Robbie Lawler for the upcoming card this week.

Both men are coming off losses. Jason High lost his UFC debit to Erik Silva at UFC on fuel 10. He had a  7 fight win streak snapped with that loss. Head meanwhile suffered a KO loss to Mike Pyle last December so is also returning from a little bit of a layoff.

UFC on Fuel TV 10 Main Card Results: Erick Silva vs Jason High

Erick Silva makes quick work of Jason High

by Ben Heather @benheather

Erick Silva came in to this fight trying to get back to winning ways after he lost last time out to Jon Fitch in the fight of the night at UFC 153. Silva was originally slated to fight British fighter John Hathaway before he had to pull out of the fight due to injury. Jason High stepped up to fill the space in the card and make his return to the UFC for the first time since March 2010.

Erick Silva was again a big favourite going in to this fight with some bookies having him at up to a 1/4 favourite.

The fight starts and High the renowned wrestler goes straight for a takedown but Silva manages to sprawl his way out of the attempt and then manages to turn it around and get High's back.

Silva at first looked like he was looking for a triangle choke from High's back. High managed to get back to all fours and looked like he may get out of trouble. In the process it seemed that he left himself open for a rear naked choke but didn't go for it. Silva instead went for the arm and locked in an inverted armbar only let go once High tapped out within 71 seconds of the first round.

Jason High now slips to 16-4 and his 7 fight win streak comes to a quick end he is also 0-2 in the UFC. This was the first time in over three years since High was last in the UFC, he will be hoping it won't be as long before he next gets the shot to finally get a UFC victory.

Erick Silva now has a record of 15-3-1 and now has a 3-2 record in the UFC. I think he now steps up competition again and looks to fight someone bordering on the top 10 in the welterweight division to see if he can prove that he has learnt from his loss against Jon Fitch.