The UFC’s battle against New York is FAR from over…
After two exciting, back-and-forth rounds, the highly-anticipated Chris Weidman – Gegard Mousasi middleweight showdown ended in a technical knockout victory in favor of Mousasi, one that wasn’t devoid of controversy however.
Weidman, the former UFC middleweight champion, was finished at 3:13 of round 2. But he wasn’t exactly finished when it was all said and done.
Mousasi (42-6-2) delivered a series of knees to Weidman (13-3) who was grounded and not-grounded in split seconds.
“That’s not my fault, I don’t know,” said Mousasi as he was booed by the Key Bank Center crowd in Buffalo.
“He can have the rematch no problem, I was ready to continue the fight. I was ready to continue, I apologize to Weidman, I like the guy I was ready to fight I was fighting.”
Chris Weidman and Gegard Mousasi were giving fans a great show
For the first knee that landed, the “All-American” had one hand on the ground which would have been illegal under old rules. However, the new ruleset allows this.
For the second knee, Weidman appeared to have two hands on the canvas when it landed. Which is illegal under the new rules. But replays depicted Weidman lifting one of his hands up before the knee landed.
To make matters more complicated, Weidman was given time to recover as if the knee was indeed illegal. The cageside physician then called off the fight.
The bout is sadly marred with controversy as the officials had already halted the contest even though there was no foul committed. This awarded Mousasi the TKO win. However, only due to referee and physician’s error.
And it's over! #UFC210 pic.twitter.com/30kku2ACJ2
— UFC (@ufc) April 9, 2017
…Until UFC officials unfortunately made an error which ended the bout in controversy
It’s unfortunate to see such an entertaining scrap end in controversial fashion, but sometimes that’s the way things go. Weidman was doing well in the first round, controlling much of the action with his wrestling. Mousasi came alive in the second however, lighting Weidman up with punches against the fence.
With the victory, Mousasi comes away with his fifth straight win. Weidman unfortunately suffers his third straight loss.
