At Times, It Gets Hairy Outside the Cage And Before the Fight As Well

This past Saturday at Ground and Pound Promotions LLC event titled Still Standing we had a major issue happen.During the first belt fight as the fighters were being addressed by the referee Joel Schott punched Scott Markini twice in the face causing a flash knock out of the unsuspecting fighter.

I was the Referee so I know everything that ensued from there. There were fans mad at fans and fighters wanting to protect there brother and friend. Joel Schott’s actions were unwarranted and unwanted. Unfortunately there is no way for me to change what happened.

In life there are no do over’s. When someone is in the process of doing  battle in the Cage there is a ton of anxiety built up and nervousness another man or women can never account for how someone might act before or after competition in any sport.

However once someone does show there true colors then it is on the company who hosts that sport to issue out a fine or punishment and also a statement. Though I would rather not make things public because issue’s should always be kept in house, there were too many fans who were affected, children watching that need to understand that we don’t condone these actions.

Joel Schott was seen by Police who were in attendance. What the police do from here is strictly up to them but Ground and Pound Promotions will fully cooperate with the law.

As far as Joel Schott he is banned from ever attending, or participating in a Ground And Pound event and what he did is assault another human being and I hope charges are brought up.

Joel began the night as my friend as did Scott Markini.

I know Joel to be a good person and he acted out of character.

Scott is also a very good person.

I don’t like to hold peoples pasts against them for we all make mistakes in life. I wish Joel a great future and hope he learns form his mistakes. What he did was very inappropriate and it caused many people there safety including mine and my Mother’s and Wife’s who were both in attendance. Many other people had there children and loved ones in attendance too. That is not what there suppose to see.
Fortunately for everyone’s safety Ground and Pound Security Staff acted fast and Swiftly. I need to thank everyone but point out a couple of people who were great. Thank You to Nate Carey and if you read this Joel, you should thank him too, because he might have saved your life.

I would also like to thank Neil Costello, Jake Erickson, T. Field, and C. Reid who all acted very professional and really did a great job. Thank you so much to you guys. Many people helped out you guys stood out.

This was the first ever incident I have had to report. Almost everyone stayed at the show and still saw a wonderful event. The fighter who was injured is okay and Ground and Pound will continue to contact him and make sure he’s doing good.

The incident was handled well. As a company we will never be able to stop what took place on Saturday from happening, however we will always take the proper measures to ensuring the issue is contained and the people involved are removed.

My sincere apologies for everything that happened.
Thank you to those who helped prevent it from getting out of control.

President Brock Simmons
Ground And Pound Promotions LLC
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Brock wrote a very concerning  memo above ,addressing the seriousness of one’s actions ,I will add that Joel Schott is permanently banned from any Ground And Pounds events, furthermore I will be seeking a 24 month suspension from MMA events,although most promoters may not agree on all things we should always agree on Sportsmanship, fighters safety and spectators safety.

I  Thank Our security staff for their swift actions, you are well trained and very professional.

**Nate Carey went beyond the imaginable, he put himself between Joel Schott and angry members of the audience , Preventing possible serious injuries to Joel. Thank you Mr.Carey for all that you have done.

Thank you

CEO Paul P Simpson

Ground And Pound Promotions LLC