The key word in the above definition is 'deliberately'. Did Phil Nurse, and by extension George St. Pierre, deliberately violate a rule? We will probably never know the answer to this question, leading to endless speculation on whether or not Nurse and St. Pierre knew what they were doing. If you are a trusting individual then you are inclined to take their word, where as if you are a suspicious individual you will see only deception.

The next question is whether the vaseline had an impact on the fight and if so to what degree did it affect the outcome?

The application, whether malicious or intentional, had an impact on the bout. The application of a lubricant on to St. Pierre's body altered its composition by making his skin slick. In a sport where fighter's are engaged in grappling, wrestling and jiu-jitsu, an artificial alteration of body friction is impactful.

However, the question we should be asking is whether or not the lubricated skin altered the outcome of the fight. One could argue that the slippery nature of St. Pierre's skin prevented Penn from defending takedowns and transitions as Penn's legs and arms slipped off the greased body of St. Pierre. Making the entire fight suspect after the vaseline was applied.

The counter argument to this position is that St. Pierre's superior strength and skill was the reason Penn could not mount an adequate defense in rounds two, three and four. After re-watching the fight  two things have become apparent . First, that St. Pierre's body was illegally greased, whether accidental or intentional is an unknown. Secondly, St. Pierre dominated Penn physically causing Penn to tire and eventually quit. Are these two results connected?

Judging by the nature of the sport these results are connected. It seems ridiculous to state that an unnatural slippery body does not affect the grappling and wrestling in a fight. But does it then change the outcome of the fight? Personally I don't see the vaseline changing the outcome of the fight. George St. Pierre outfought B.J. Penn in every facet of the sport. But since the first rounds was close to a neutral engagement, St. Pierre detractors will always be able to argue, with some merit, that the fight fundamentally changed after the application of vaseline.

That is why Penn is within his rights to file a complaint.