Without much media attention, the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) quietly appointed Pat Lundvall’s replacement this past week.

What should have been a joyous day for MMA fighters, managers and fans alike has actually turned out to be somewhat unnerving and wholly disappointing.

With the NSAC often referred to as ‘Kangaroo Court’ and one of their most prominent commissioners, Pat Lundvall, earning a reputation for being thoroughly incompetent and arbitrary beyond belief, October 31 should have been a positive day for the MMA community. After all, this was the day Lundvall left her post with the NSAC regulating body.

With Lundvall’s history of whimsical suspensions and fines leaving us for good another appointment was made which appears to be just that, whimsical. At best the appointment of Dr. James Daniel Carpenter can be called irresponsible, at worst, perilous.

Investigative journalist Mike Russell of Real Fight Stories was the first to report on the appointment of Dr. Carpenter. Russell’s subsequent digging brought to light something which not only shows what a dangerous appointment Dr. Carpenter is, but also raises the question of cronyism and potential conflicts of interest.

In September 2005 Ophthalmologist Dr James Daniel Carpenter was found guilty by The State Board of Osteopathic Medicine on twelve counts of malpractice. Originally, Dr. Carpenter was facing 28 counts of malpractice – including one extremely serious and life altering charge of making one of his patients blind, as well as damaging the vision of other patients – along with unethical and unprofessional conduct.

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The NSAC’s new commissioner, Dr. Carpenter, was also accused of double-billing his patients, multiple counts of charging for services which were never performed, and performing procedures on a patient without consent.

Taking that into account, it is a shock to see Nevada State Governor, Brian Sandoval, be delighted with the appointment of the highly irresponsible and unethical Dr. Carpenter.

As an advocate for fighter safety being paramount, this does not instill any sort of confidence. Dr. Carpenter has shown systematic disregard for his patients which could easily translate to his role within the NSAC. Fighters, managers, fans and media should question this appointment wholeheartedly and repeatedly until someone listens. Hopefully before it’s too late.