TORONTO

UFC fighter's bid to become police officer derailed

The Canadian Press Published Thursday, December 16, 2010 3:04PM EST

Welterweight Sean Pierson is shown with his wife Julie in the wake of his UFC 124 win over Matthew Riddle on Dec. 11. Just days later, Toronto police withdrew their provisional job offer to Pierson, citing concerns over his former nickname -- Pimp Daddy -- and the time that fighting might take away from police work. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Sean Pearson

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TORONTO - A Canadian mixed martial arts fighter's bid to join the Toronto police department has been derailed just days after his successful UFC debut.

Sean Pierson was due to start his police training this week.

But Toronto police say its provisional job offer has been withdrawn because of concerns over Pierson's former nickname -- Pimp Daddy -- and the time fighting might take away from his police work.

Police spokesman Mark Pugash says: "The fact that it was mixed martial arts was not relevant."

The 34-year-old Pierson won his UFC debut on the weekend by decision over Matt Riddle at UFC 124 in Montreal.

UFC president Dana White called it the fight of the night.