Sickening scenes as UFC referee 'almost gets fighter killed'
Controversy has erupted in the UFC after a referee’s ‘shocking’ call ‘almost got a fighter killed’.
Experienced ref Herb Dean is being slammed on social media for his officiating of the bout between CB Dollaway and Khalid Murtazaliev at UFC Moscow.
As you can see in the video above, Dollaway took an absolute beating and appeared to be spent as he lay on the canvas with Murtazaliev raining down fists and knees on him.
Dean warned Dollaway to fight back, and even though he showed no signs of doing that, the fight continued until the end of the round.
Dollaway couldn’t even make it to the stool after the bell rang, and Dean called the fight off after realising the fighter was no chance of continuing.
But for many fans and commentators, Dean’s decision to stop the fight came way too late.
“Dollaway’s had enough. Dollaway’s curled up in a ball. He’s had enough,” one commentator said.
“He’s trying to fight back, but there’s just no energy left in his body… Surely this fight needs stopping. Surely this fight needs stopping.”
“It’s over. What is he doing?” another commentator added.
“I normally like Herb Dean, but that was a big mistake on his part right there.”
Some fans went as far as to say that Dean’s no-call could have resulted in Dollaway’s death.
It's that kind of inept reffing that takes years off a fighter's life. Herb Dean has a better track record than most, but I've seen him with his fair share of laspes. But that, that was awful.
— Heidi Fang (@HeidiFang) September 15, 2018
Herb Dean tried to get a fighter killed today in Moscow. @McDuckMMA:#UFCMoscow #UFC #McDuckMMA
pic.twitter.com/MR96bxquFc— Fight Ghost (@Fight_Ghost) September 15, 2018
Herb Dean needs to answer to that stoppage. That was really dangerous. The fact CB couldn't even get up tells you all you need to know.
— Adam Martin (@MMAdamMartin) September 15, 2018
Dude, what is Herb waiting on?
Dolloway's corner should not let him back out for the third.
— Luke Thomas (@lthomasnews) September 15, 2018
Herb Dean. C'mon dude. That was trash. #UFCMoscow
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohnMMA) September 15, 2018
Herb Dean gave CB Dollaway way too much rope. Way, way too much. Poor officiating and then he calls it after R2. Khalid Murtazaliev wailed on CB unabated.
— Josh Gross (@yay_yee) September 15, 2018
Horrible to watch. That needs investigating. I’d suspend that ref
— Gary (@Garyb28Gary) September 15, 2018
Are you kidding me Herb? Herb needs a suspension and to go back to ref school after that one.
— Ryan Krissoff (@RKrissoff) September 15, 2018
That's literally THE WORST UFC stoppage I've ever seen.
— Milić od Sačme (@CrniUltracigeri) September 15, 2018
Herb is a danger to the fighters I’ve travelled the world and seen him do this on many occasions especially for ACB it’s time to retire
— neal wilson (@nealwilson8) September 15, 2018
If a fighter is so hurt at the end of a round they can't even get up, that fight should have been stopped before the end of the round.
That was a horrible, horrible call by Herb, there. Everyone in the arena, including Murtazaliev, knew CB was done 20 seconds before the horn.
— Iain Kidd (@iainkidd) September 15, 2018
I would have stopped it at 35 seconds left that was horrible
— Drew (@NiceanFlowyMMA) September 15, 2018
Mark Hunt taught lesson in grappling
The UFC’s historic first event in Russia ended in defeat for Sydney-based fighter Mark Hunt, who suffered a stunning first round defeat to Aleksei Oleinik.
The Russian man gave home fans in Moscow plenty to cheer about at Fight Night 136 after trapping Hunt with a superbly executed rear-naked choke for the biggest win of his UFC career.
Oleinik withstood an early barrage as Hunt unloaded with a series of blistering leg kicks, followed by a massive right hand in their heavyweight showdown.
The Russian man put Hunt down briefly after catching him with a quick shot, before seizing on his big opportunity to take the former K-1 kickboxer onto the canvas.
Oleinik caught Hunt’s trailing leg and dragged him down onto the floor, before locking his forearm around the head of the ‘Super Samoan’.
Hunt did his best to keep the Russian from locking in the choke hold but as the big man began tiring, Oleinik pounced and the contest was as good as over.
Slipping a forearm underneath Hunt’s chin to lock up the rear naked choke, Oleinik have his rival no choice but to tap out with the end of the fight coming at 4:26 into the opening round.
with AAP