'Didn't need to happen': UFC world erupts over 'absolutely disgusting' moment
UFC fans and commentators have erupted over one of the most sickening knockouts in recent memory.
Mike Davis took down Thomas Gifford in brutal fashion on the preliminary card at UFC Tampa on Saturday.
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Davis was right on top from the opening bell and rocked Gifford a number of times throughout the first round.
Gifford looked like he was done but managed to survive the first round, however he was sent back out for more punishment in the second.
Gifford somehow managed to keep fighting and lasted until the final 15 seconds of the fight before he was knocked out by a ferocious right hand to the face.
Fans fume over ‘disgusting’ scenes
Gifford crashed face-first into the canvas and lay motionless for a number of seconds, leaving fans disgusted by what they’d seen.
Many believed Gifford’s corner or the referee should have stopped the fight much earlier.
THIS is absolutely disgusting
The corner.
The referee.
Absolutely disgusting! #UFCTampa #DavisGifford— Adam Catterall (@AdamCatterall) October 12, 2019
that was a disgusting finish... that referee just did a HORRIBLE job letting that fight go WAY WAY WAY too long
— E. Casey Leydon (@ekc) October 12, 2019
That stupid knockout didn't need to happen. Fight should've been stopped two minutes earlier. Dumb. #UFCTampa
— Brendan Bradford (@1bbradfo) October 12, 2019
The way Gifford just fell was scary. These refs have to be smarter. How much damage must a young man absorb? #UFCTampa
— Matt Schnell (@DANGER_Caged) October 12, 2019
Well, that KO was unnecessary. Impressive by Mike Davis but should the referee have stopped that earlier? #UFCTampa
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) October 12, 2019
There was nothing good about what just happened in the Octagon. Hope Gifford is OK. #UFCTampa
— Marc Raimondi (@marc_raimondi) October 12, 2019
Holy hell. One of the worst beatdowns I’ve seen in the UFC Octagon. You really hate to see that. #UFCTampa
— Brian Shea (@BrianPShea) October 12, 2019