Greasing Rule Not a Victory for BJ Penn

When the Nevada State Athletic Commission made revisions to its rules regarding foreign substances applied to fighters, some people heralded it as a moral victory for BJ Penn.

However, I don't think that the ruling is any change in the stance of the NSAC regarding "Greasegate."

The rules on application of foreign substances were previously unclear, and only stipulated that there should not be "excessive" lubricant applied to the fighter.

Furthermore, there was very little written about what could be done in the event of application of lubricant.

The recent revisions to the rules on greasing are intended to clear up some of the previous ambiguities, and lead to better enforcement of the rules.

I hope that improved rules and enforcement procedures prevent future controversy, but prior to recent greasing allegations, cornermen and fighters did not spend so much time thinking about greasing, and so carelessness resulted in accidental greasing.

There is video online showing Rich Franklin's neck and shoulders being rubbed down right after Vaseline is applied to his face, which would have been possibly useful, since he was facing the prospect of Anderson Silva's Muay Thai clinch.

There is also video online showing Anderson Silva touching his face after application of Vaseline, and then touching his chest to wipe off some of the Vaseline.  That could have been useful for Anderson as well, as he was facing BJJ champion Thales Leites.

With increased awareness of the kind of controversy that accidental application of grease causes, I think that in the future we will see fewer instances where fighters can be justifiably accused of greasing.

That hopefully means fewer excuses when the fights are done.