Babalu fired from the UFC over choke hold

[presto]

Dana White has confirmed that Babalu has been released from his UFC contract after holding his choke for too long on opponent Heath at UFC 74.

It was an ill tempered affair way before the pair got into the cage, with words being exchanged at the weigh in, and Heath had a picture of babalu's 'mug shot' form his recent altercation with the law printed on his t-shirt.

The fight itself was bloody and brutal, Heath being 'opened up' with an elbow to the head.

Babalu defended himself at a hearing saying that he never felt the tap, and only when the ref shook him did he realise to let go.
He also stated that twice in the fight he looked at the ref - indicating 'why are you not stopping the fight?' as Heath was loosing a lot of blood.

[presto]

In my oppinion Babalu did hold the choke after the tap, however i can't really comment on his motives, did he want to put him to sleep after the insult of the t-shirt or did he just not feel the tap?

Either way expelling babalu from the UFC may have been a bit excessive, a fine and a suspension i would agree with, but expulsion seems harsh - especially as he isn't the first fighter to carry on after a tap, BJ Penn holding the choke on Jens Pulver being one recent example.