NSAC says Anderson Silva did not break rules

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Dana White might be the only one administering a punishment to Anderson Silva after his outlandish display at UFC 112.

According to the UFC's rules, fighters are not allowed to use abusive language inside the Octagon. This includes cursing and antagonizing talk. During his fight at UFC 112, however, Silva taunted Demian Maia and swore at him mid-fight.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission's rules state that a fighter must compete honestly, making the best use of their skills while fighting. Fans, including White and referee Dan Mirgliotta, do not think that Silva adhered to these guidelines.

But some do not see it that way.

"I don't see any way it could (apply)," Keith Kizer, the NSAC executive director told MMAJunkie. "Just because you don't like a guy's style... But a fighter, if he thinks he's ahead on the scorecards, it's not uncommon to see him not take any risks in the last round."

Silva, in essence, did take risks in the latter rounds, refusing to engage Maia in a decent fight. Kizer admits to not yet seeing the fight, but from the literature and emotional response to it, he has gauged the atmosphere's backlash. However, Kizer added that it would be very disrespectful if Silva had not competed to the best of his abilities against Maia.

"I know the fans don't like it," Kizer said. "They want to see toe-to-toe for all 25 minutes, but that's unrealistic for a lot of fights. Sometimes the more skilled the fighters, the less exciting the fight. They equalize each other, or in this case, from what I read, one guy was way ahead on the scorecards, so why take chances in the last third of the fight?"

Kizer might change his mind after watching the fight, but for now, the NSAC is taking no action against Silva. White, on the other hand, has threatened to put the middleweight champion on the undercard instead of having him headline events. In addition, White has taken a potential fight against Georges St. Pierre off the table for the foreseeable future.