More than 20 fighters suspended in Ohio bloodwork scandal
Bernie Profato | photo by Esther Lin/MMA Fighting
BluegrassMMA has learned that more than 20 fighters have been suspended in conjunction with an investigation of falsified bloodwork in the state of Ohio.
The promoter’s license of Joe Bridenbaugh, who was the promoter of record for events such as Warrior Nation Fight Series and Primetime MMA, has also been suspended. Also, Domenic Bentz – who worked with Warrior Nation Fight Series – has been issued a temporary license with the condition that no titles can be awarded under the license. (Bentz was the promoter of record for a Strike FC event that was cancelled the day of the show last weekend in Zanesville).
Mixed martial arts fighters in Ohio are required to submit bloodwork once per year showing a negative result for HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C.
The list of suspended fighters includes:
Michael Bennett
Jarrod Bowman
Zachory Cooper
Gaige Diemer
Zachary Dominique
Chance Ferrel
Feraris Golden
Ryan Hornack
Alan Huffman
Adam Inbody
Christian Jordan
Scott Livingston
Brett Miller
John Miller
Cody Mompher-Rizer
James Ousley
Hayden Radabaugh
Eric Reffitt
Jordan Slinker
Donald Starkey
Kaitlen Styne
Alex Tate
Trevor Tyfair
Zachary Young
This may not be a full list of suspended fighters, rather it is a list that BluegrassMMA was able to confirm. The fighters will need to appear before the OAC before their licenses are reinstated.
This is the second bloodwork scandal in the state of Ohio. In 2011, the Ohio Athletic Commission issued indefinite suspensions for members of the Ohio Fight Conference promotion for falsifying bloodwork for fighters. It appears as though this is a similar event.
Multiple members of BluegrassMMA have reached out to the Ohio Athletic Commission and executive director Bernie Profato for a comment on this matter, but they have yet to respond.
JohnO
November 22, 2017 at 1:14 pm
Interesting
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FightFan
November 27, 2017 at 10:17 pm
Complete disregard for fighter safety. Doesn’t surprise me coming from Rick Fitch though. No integrity at all.
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