The Ultimate Fighting Championship was hit with another controversy.
This past weekend, the promotion visited the Chartway Arena in Norfolk, Virginia for its UFC Fight Night 169, which was headlined by a flyweight title bout featuring Joseph Benavidez and Deiveson Figueiredo, who missed weight ahead of the MMA festivities.
In the main card, a light heavyweight bout between Magomed Ankalaev and Ion Cutelaba ended in a controversial stoppage that MMA fans called the ‘worst in the promotion’s history.’
Referee Kevin MacDonald stopped the fight in the 38-second mark of the opening round as Cutelaba wobbled during a strike fest with Ankalaev.
‘The Hulk’ was still standing on his feet when the referee waved off the fight, much to the dismay of the crowd.
”I came all the way from Moldova, 14 or 15, to show the world I am the best, and the referee didn’t leave me to fight,” Cutelaba said (via MMA Fighting).
“Every (strike) that my opponent did, I controlled it. When the referee stopped the fight, I was countering. This was a part of the game plan, and the referee thought I fell. But that was part of the game plan.
”When they stopped it, I was fighting him.”
Watch the highly controversial stoppage in the video below:
Check out some of reactions to the ‘worst stoppage in the UFC history’ below:
(Featured Image Source: Twitter/ UFC)