Over the years of the UFC, several rules have been changed and added to further improve the integrity of the sport.
During the early days of the UFC, the sport was widely criticized by the mainstream for being a thug-like sport, as at the time there weren’t many rules implemented.
Over the years, certain rules were implemented or changed as a result of fighters bending the rules, and UFC boss Dana White was once left outraged after fighters utilized a loophole to continue taking performance-enhancing drugs.
However, that wasn’t the first time White was left furious after a fighter bent the rules, and in 2009, Georges St-Pierre did exactly that.
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After reclaiming his UFC welterweight title after a brief rivalry with Matt Serra, ‘Rush’ St-Pierre was matched up against fellow great, BJ Penn.
Penn was looking to make UFC history, attempting to become a double champion after winning the UFC lightweight title.
St-Pierre and ‘The Prodigy’ had already met inside the cage a few years prior, and their rematch was one of the most highly anticipated rematches in MMA history.
Despite an extremely close opening round, the Canadian champion began to dominate in the next few rounds, landing takedowns at will and punishing the Hawaiian on the ground with vicious ground-and-pound.
The fight was called at the end of round four after Penn’s cornerman Jason Parillo didn’t allow him to go out for the final round. However, that was just the start of the controversy.
Following the fight, Penn accused St-Pierre of foul play, claiming that he was heavily greased up with vaseline, making it more difficult for Penn to transition positions on the ground.
The matter was formally investigated by the UFC and the Nevada State Athletic Commission after a request by Penn. UFC boss Dana White was clearly frustrated by the matter, stating that St-Pierre’s corner ‘100 percent’ rubbed vaseline over his body.
“You know he’s in trouble too. Georges is in trouble by the commission. The corner got caught rubbing vaseline all over his back. Someone, a f—— idiot in the corner was rubbing vaseline all over his back, he’s in big f—— trouble! How could you f—— do that?” White said cageside during the fight.
The rule was later changed following UFC 94 vaseline gate
At the time, there weren’t any specific rules regarding cornermen applying vaseline to their fighter, and cornermen would regularly re-vaseline their fighters’ eyebrows and noses in between rounds.
However, following the investigation that ensued following UFC 94, a new rule was implemented by the promotion and the Athletic Commissions.
The new rule stated that cornermen associated with the fighters would no longer be allowed to handle the vaseline used in between rounds to treat and prevent cuts, and that independent cut men would be employed to handle the matter.