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'What the f***': UFC world erupts over 'embarrassing' drama

Sam Goodwin
·Sports Editor
·4-min read
Song Yadong, pictured here celebrating after his decision victory over Marlon Vera at UFC Fight Night 176.
Song Yadong celebrates after his decision victory over Marlon Vera at UFC Fight Night 176. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

The main card of UFC Fight Night 176 in Jacksonville kicked off with controversy on Saturday, with fans and fellow fighters stunned by the result in a featherweight bout between Song Yadong and Marlon Vera.

The fight was incredibly close after both men slugged it out for three rounds.

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However most watching on believed Vera did enough to get the chocolates, with the Ecudorian appearing to dominate the final two rounds.

So there was uproar when Yadong was announced as the winner by unanimous decision, the judges scoring the fight 29-28 to the Chinese fighter.

Vera was gobsmacked, audibly saying “f*** that” after the decision was read out and refusing to shake hands with his opponent.

Marlon Vera, pictured here in action at UFC Fight Night in Jacksonville.
Marlon Vera was shocked to learn that he'd lost. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)

Song was also somewhat surprised that he won by unanimous decision.

“I was thinking it was maybe a split decision but when I heard it was a unanimous decision I felt good but I didn’t do well in this fight,” Song said.

“I feel like I learned a lot from this fight when I have the chance I will review this fight and get more experience for when I come back.

“I feel that I’m on the right track and I trust my coaches, like Urijah Faber and he’s leading me the right way.”

Those watching at home couldn’t believe the scoring, labelling the result ‘shocking’ and ‘embarrassing’.

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The UFC finished its triple-header in Jacksonville with fireworks as Alistair Overeem finished Walt Harris to spoil his return to action after the murder of his step-daughter.

Harris had Overeem hurt in the first round, but couldn’t get the job done as Overeem took control in the second half of the round.

In the second round, a heavily gassed Harris caught a kick to the head which dropped him. Overeem pounced to rain down blows and earn his 46th career win minutes before his 40th birthday.

In the co-main event, No. 6 ranked strawweight Claudia Gadelha and Angela Hill went the distance with the Brazilian getting the split-decision win.

The loss for Hill snaps her three fight win streak and moves her record to 12-8, but her performance proved she deserves to be ranked in the division. Gadelha, who called out Carla Esparza after her win, improves to 18-4.

UFC Florida main card results:

Alistair Overeem def. Walt Harris via TKO (punches) at 3:00 of R2

Claudia Gadelha def. Angela Hill via split decision (29-28 x 2, 28-29)

Dan Ige def. Edson Barboza via split decision (29-28 x 2, 28-29)

Krzysztof Jotko def. Eryk Anders via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x 2)

Song Yadong def. Marlon Vera via unanimous decision (29-28 x 3)

UFC Florida prelims card results:

Miguel Baeza def. Matt Brown via KO (punches) at 0:18 of R2

Kevin Holland def. Anthony Hernandez via TKO (strikes) at 0:39 of R1

Giga Chikadze def. Irwin Rivera via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27 x 2)

Nate Landwehr def. Darren Elkins via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27 x 2)

Cortney Casey def. Mara Romero Borella via submission (arm bar) at 3:36 of R1

Rodrigo Nascimento def. Don’Tale Mayes via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:05 of R2

with Yahoo Sports