Executive Director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission, Keith Kizer has stepped down and resigned his position effective January 27th.
News of Kizer’s decision broke yesterday.
He detailed his reasons in an interview with Mike Chiapetta:
“Dana and I have a good relationship,” Kizer told FOX Sports on Friday night. “I know he says crazy stuff about everybody from time to time. Look at the stuff he said about Jon Jones. Actually, he and I have always had a good relationship behind the scenes. He has his own failings as do I, as does everybody. It was never to the point that it negatively impacted on us as a commission whatsoever. Most of the biggest UFC’s in history have been in Nevada.”
“This is just a good time for me to move on. It’s a new calendar year, there’s a new chairman, and we’re really slow. We have no fights this month, so it’s a good time for making a transition. Everything’s all set for the big fights in the spring, so if there’s a time to leave, this is the time.”
“I was lucky enough to work with some very good commissioners, commission staff and officials. I don’t have any negative feelings whatsoever. Even with the promoters, sometimes you have disagreements with them, but they’ve been very good, too, along with the fighters and managers I’ve dealt with. It was all good. I didn’t expect to be here eight years but I don’t regret sticking around longer than I planned.”
“It’s a cool job. I can’t imagine this type of job won’t attract some qualified candidates and probably some unqualified candidates as well. I’ve done my time as a sports guy, and now I get to go back to being a lawyer. They’ll be just fine without me.”
