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Wyoming commission issues absurd response to inquiries regarding handling of RFA fighter who collapsed between rounds
Apr 12, 2014 - 11:10:05 PM Wyoming commission issues absurd response to inquiries regarding handling of RFA fighter who collapsed between rounds

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

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On Friday night in Wyoming, RFA brought an event to AXS TV which finished with one of the more sickening moments in televised U.S. MMA. In the bout between Matt Manzanares and Junior Maranhao for the Flyweight Title, Maranhao collapsed off his stool a short time after being released from a tight chokehold at the end of the fourth round. His corner picked him up, and the doctor failed to adequately examine him. Instead, the doctor asked the corner if he was alright, they said he was, and the doctor walked out.

I contacted the Wyoming commission this morning in regards to the incident, seeking a response on whether there would be any action taken against those responsible for allowing a fighter out for a final round after having blacked out while sitting on his stool. A response was received, and it turns out a blanket one to several outlets who have inquired about the issue, with the commission taking no responsibility and admitting no fault whatsoever in Friday's proceedings.

Below is the email inquiry sent to the commission, followed by their response, and finally, my response back to them this evening. If and when they follow up with a comment, we'll bring that to you.

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I'm working on the developing story regarding last night's RFA event overseen by your state athletic commission on Friday night, 4/11/14, specifically the fight between Matt Manzanares and Junior Maranhao. I have a few specific questions I'd like to get a response on for said story:

1) What is the commission's stance on Friday's incident where Maranhao passed out on his stool in between rounds and was sent back out without any proper examination?

2) Is there any update on the post-fight status of Maranhao? Was he examined after the fight and/or brought to the hospital after the fight?

3) What is the name of the cageside doctor who walked into the cage to check on Maranhao after the fighter collapsed?

4) What are that doctor's credentials, and will there be any review or reprimand regarding his failure to properly examine Maranhao in the cage after he'd passed out?

5) Is there any procedure for review or reprimand towards fighter corners regarding negligence towards their own competitors? I.e, would the commission suspend a corner's license in that type of situation?

Thank you,

Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

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Dear Mr. Penick,

Thank you for reaching out to the Board and sharing your thoughts. As to your questions regarding Mr. Maranhao, he was thoroughly examined by a licensed physician after he fell off his stool between the 4th and 5th round of the RFA event in Cheyenne on April 11. He was also examined by his corner men and the referee. All parties, including Mr. Maranhao, believed and stated unequivocally that Mr. Maranhao was medically safe to and capable of finishing the fight. In fact, he fought well in the last round and lost in a close split decision. He was examined by a licensed physician after the bout as well and again found to have no neurological or other medical issues of concern.

The Wyoming State Board of Mixed Martial Arts stands by our physicians and officials and has the utmost confidence in their ability to assess the medical status of Wyoming contestants. Safety is the Board's number one priority and all necessary precautions were taken at the April 11 RFA event to ensure that Mr. Maranhao was safe to continue fighting.

Again, thank you for your interest in Wyoming MMA.

Sincerely,
Dicky Shanor
Chairman
Jerry Davis
Vice-Chairman
Bryan Pedersen
Secretary/Treasurer
Wyoming State Board of Mixed Martial Arts

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With all due respect, this response does not answer the questions presented. Further, the characterization of his examination in between rounds is absurd and patently false. I'll direct you to video of the broadcast from last night:

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1nrh33_rfa-4-11-14_sport

The physician gave him no examination after he passed out. His corner put him to his stool, the physician asked the corner if he was ok without doing any type of examination. I don't understand how this commission can stand behind allowing a fighter to continue after passing out in between rounds. That he finished the fight is irrelevant; that he's thankfully alright after the fact is irrelevant. Sending him back out for the fifth round was, frankly, highly negligent on the part of all involved, and this response takes no responsibility for seriously endangering the health and safety of Mr. Maranhao.

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That's the extent of the exchange at the moment. Once again, if they respond, and I don't trust that they will, we will bring you any further statement.

At this stage, they're playing the cover up game, falsely characterizing what transpired on Friday night, and taking no action against a doctor and a corner who put Maranhao in serious jeopardy. Thankfully he's ok, but it's just as possible he wouldn't have been, and for them to respond the way they have is scary for the future of the sport in the state of Wyoming.

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