[alnorth]

So.... I just now noticed that Dana White decided to cut Jason High. People were expecting some kind of severe punishment, but the internet seems generally shocked by a lifetime ban for shoving a ref.

The pushback seems to be one of 2 reactions: 1) pointing out people who fail drug tests and don't get cut. 2) basically saying "aww come on, it was just a shove in the heat of the moment"

I'm not sure how I feel about the severity of the punishment, but I do think the first argument is a load of crap. Drugs and attacking the ref do not need to carry the same punishment, it is rational to deal with this a hell of a lot more severely than a drug test.

I think if I was Dana I would punish a move against the ref on a case by case basis, and maybe sanction someone from fighting for a full year for a momentary shove, with a ban coming only if you strike the ref. (exception if its obvious that you were so out of it you thought the ref was the opponent)

But Dana wants to go all zero-tolerance on this and drop a lifetime ban for a shove and walking away? OK fine, its his company he can do what he wants. Duly noted. I'll expect the same punishment if someone who actually draws well does the same thing. (though I'd agree that is very unlikely, if you are good enough and work long enough to get to that point, then you probably are not that stupid)