'What the hell': UFC ref slammed over 'atrocious' snapped arm furore
Warning: The following story contains graphic images some people might find disturbing
Fight fans have taken to social media in disgust after a UFC referee allowed Jamahal Hill to continue with a severely injured arm in his showdown against Paul Craig at UFC 263.
Craig kicked off the event in gruesome fashion after completely snapping Hill’s left arm in a first round TKO victory at the Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona.
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However it was referee Al Guinee's decision to allow the light heavyweight bout to continue after the very obvious injury to Hill, that left viewers outraged.
Craig actually said he could feel Hill’s arm pop after he took him to the ground and flipped him over, keeping his opponent's arm between his legs.
As he flipped Hill around, Craig completely snapped the lower half of his rival's arm, as bizarre scenes ensued.
UFC commentator Joe Rogan said the injury made it look as though Hill had "a rubber arm”.
“It’s flopping around. It’s completely broken. Look at his arm just flopping around. That is crazy,” he said.
“Just stop it. Just stop it. Just stop it. That is so nasty.”
Incredibly, Hill refused to tap out despite the severity of the injury and referee Guinee allowed the fight to continue for some 30 seconds longer.
Viewers were up in arms about the referee's decision to let the fight go on considering the horrific nature of the injury to Hill.
“That should have been stopped way before,” commentator Paul Felder said.
Uproar as ref allows fight to continue
“When the ref sees that thing dangling around and flopping all over the place, I think it’s time to stop the fight.
Oh my God. Craig tears Hill’s arm apart. Not sure what the hell the ref was looking at. Needed to be stopped WAY before that
— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) June 13, 2021
That’s one of the most absurd things I’ve ever seen in a UFC fight. How in the world did the ref not notice Hill’s arm just flapping around?!
Massive respect for Hill for continuing to fight but geez laouise.— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 13, 2021
Oh my God! Hill’s arm is absolutely broken and just flopping around as Craig pounds on Hill for the first round finish. #UFC263
— Andreas Hale (@AndreasHale) June 13, 2021
Craig breaks the arm of Hill and the referee doesn't stop it. #UFC263
— Rob Tatum (@RobTatum303) June 13, 2021
Literally everyone in the entire arena knew Jamahal Hill broke his arm except the referee looking directly at it #UFC263
— BetOnline.ag (@betonline_ag) June 13, 2021
That is the worst referee I’ve ever seen in the UFC. Jamal Hill has his arm snapped, and the referee just stares at him as his arm flops around, letting him take unprotected shots to the head.#UFC263
— blottieb (@blottieb) June 13, 2021
The result saw Craig record his fourth straight win in the UFC, with the Scottish fighter describing the sickening incident after the fight.
“You either tap, nap, or it snaps. Tonight it happened to snap," Craig said after the win.
“I felt it go ... it’s the ref’s job to protect my opponent. My job’s to finish the fight.
“It was like a wet fish just dancing all over my body.”
It wasn't immediately clear what the extent of Hill's injury was but it didn't look to be in a good way as he left the Octagon.
Jamahal Hill’s arm in rough shape on his way out of the Octagon. #UFC263 pic.twitter.com/CTLVXT3BjJ
— Marc Raimondi (@marc_raimondi) June 13, 2021
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