Controversial MMA Calls

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Mar 27, 2009

Controversial MMA Calls

Matt Brown vs. Pete Sell

UFC president Dana White said he ''couldn't believe'' what he was seeing when referee Yves Lavigne failed to stop the fight between Matt Brown (left) and Pete Sell at UFC 96. Even Brown threw his hands up in dismay over the delayed stoppage. Lavigne, after momentarily putting his hands on Brown to pause the fight, chose to restart the action, even though Sell appeared to be out on his feet early on. Brown wasn't awarded the TKO victory until 1:32 into the first round, after Sell had taken far more punishment than he should have.

Aaron Riley vs. Shane Nelson

In the opening minute of their UFC 96 bout, Shane Nelson (top) dropped Aaron Riley with a hard right hand and followed with several more blows. Riley, who appeared to be clear-headed and simply working off his back, was denied the chance to fight back. Referee Rick Fike jumped in and prematurely stopped the bout 44 seconds into the round, drawing the ire of everyone in the arena.

Anthony Johnson vs. Kevin Burns

Anthony Johnson (left) seemed well on his way to a victory over Kevin Burns at UFC Fight Night 14. But that was before Burns landed one nasty eye poke. Many though the fight should have been called ''no contest" given Johnson's considerable pain, but referee Steve Mazzagatti, who claimed he didn't see the poke, ruled a TKO victory in Burns' favor.

Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir

In his UFC -- and professional MMA -- debut, former WWE star Brock Lesnar (white trunks) came out swinging, giving former heavyweight champ Frank Mir an early beating. But after landing a slew of punches, Lesnar was docked a point for throwing several illegal shots to the back of the head. When the action restarted, Lesna took it to Mir again. But the veteran toughed it out and managed to use his superior jiu-jitsu skills to win by submission. Today, some blame referee Steve Mazzagatti for taking points from Lesnar, while others blame Lesnar for his lack of MMA experience.

Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson vs. James Thompson

A letdown would be an understatement. After all the hype surrounding Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson, who was dubbed the new "face of MMA," the burly newcomer was granted a technical-knockout victory in the promotion's prime-time debut on May 31 after the ref stopped the fight early. The problem: Slice's opponent, James Thompson, wasn't down, or even close to down. Rather, his cauliflower ear burst. After the fight, many fans were convinced the fight was fixed, and that EliteXC was determined to give Slice a win no matter what.

Scott Smith vs. David Terrell

Talk about mixed signals. With Smith (black trunks) and Terrell clinched, the referee called for a break in the action. Only Smith responded to the ref's call, though. Terrell continued, and went on to secure a takedown and submit Smith by rear naked choke. The result stood.

Matt Hughes vs. Carlos Newton

In their UFC 34 welterweight title bout, Matt Hughes (top) and Carlos Newton fought until 1:27 into the second round. However, some argued that the fight should have ended earlier. After getting caught in a triangle choke, Hughes yelled to his corner that he was out (he later admitted to doing so), but he managed to lift Newton up, slam him to the mat and render him unconscious. Hughes was granted a KO victory and the title.

Quinton "Rampage" Jackson vs. Ricardo Arona

In their 2004 Pride fight, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson (far right) power-bombed Ricardo Arona in the first round. It was ruled a knockout in Jackson's favor, but Arona contends it wasn't the slam that left him unconscious -- it was a clash of heads.

Murilo Bustamante vs. Matt Lindland

Fighting for the UFC title in 2002, Matt Lindland (far left) appeared to tap out, leading McCarthy to intercede. But when he shouted to stop the fight, Lindland argued he didn't tap, and McCarthy opted to restart the fight. Lindland ended up succumbing to Murilo Bustamante a second time, and the bout remains the biggest gaffe on McCarthy's otherwise consistent refereeing career.