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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
One of the UFC's newest acquisitions may not continue in his career despite a victory in his debut at UFC 124 in Montreal.
According to a report from the Toronto Star, Sean Pierson has been given an ultimatum from his daytime employer - the Toronto Police Department.
Pierson made his UFC debut days before he was supposed to have his first shift as a police officer, but according to the report he was forced to hand in his uniform and stay away from the force while the department investigates his situation.
The report cites Police spokesman Tony Vella, who revealed that any "secondary employment" for an officer needs to be cleared by the force, and can be denied if it constitutes a "conflict of interest."
"I can appreciate the position they're in with what I do," Pierson said of the situation. "I don't look at mixed martial arts as a negative, but I think the mainstream still looks at us as a bit of a black eye."
Pierson made his MMA debut in 1999, and has compiled an 11-4 career record, including six straight wins. His debut came as an injury replacement against Matt Riddle after a five fight win streak, four straight by TKO.
But although he's been an MMA fighter for over a decade, he's been pursuing a "boyhood dream" of becoming an officer for the last four years. He's not sure what he'll decide at this point.
Penick's Analysis: This is a crappy situation for Pierson to be in. He's only one fight into his UFC career, so while he did win in his debut, his contract is on the lower end of the UFC's payscale. The officer job would give him a steady job in something he's also worked hard to get to, so I certainly don't envy his situation. Pierson will make the decision that makes the most sense for him, but it would certainly be too bad if he worked his way into the UFC, won, but decides not to continue on with his MMA career.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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