Benito Lopez shoved Albert Morales at UFC Fresno weigh-ins Friday and got docked a portion of his fight purse for the infraction.
The California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) fined Lopez $1,000 — 10 percent of his fight purse — for the physicality with Morales during their staredown at official weigh-ins, commission executive officer Andy Foster confirmed with MMA Fighting. MMAjunkie was the first to report the news.
Morales feinted and Lopez pushed him away during the faceoff. UFC matchmaker Sean Shelbywas quick to get between the two men before things escalated. The shove was fairly innocuous — a regular occurrence during weigh-in staredowns — but CSAC has a very low-tolerance policy for physical touching like that outside the cage.
Lopez (8-0), a California native, earned his shot in the UFC after beating Steven Peterson by split decision at Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series in August. Morales (7-2-1) has lost two of his last three fights.
Name: Daniel Watson