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:
Woah! Controversial finish at #UFCNorfolk 👀 pic.twitter.com/5rDDr9lMVV
— UFC (@ufc) March 1, 2020
Check out some of reactions to the ‘worst stoppage in the UFC history’ below:
By far the worst stoppage in UFC history. Show boating and he took that as him being finished on his feet? How fucking tragic to have an L when you’re completely conscious, standing, not hurt, in the midst of exchanging. @ufc you fucking suck at finding refs and judges. https://t.co/ZNUgg7CrrW
— David So (@davidsocomedy) March 1, 2020
That was quite possibly the worst stoppage in UFC history. Cutelaba was still throwing and coming forward and the ref steps in? I’m not even a Cutelaba fan but that was absolutely AWFUL officiating #UFCNorfolk
— Jabbin’ John (@JabbingMma) March 1, 2020
https://twitter.com/PACDTV/status/1233937634390491137
Cutelaba answered with strikes but i guess ref said nope you are tko worst stoppage in @ufc history. https://t.co/8pD7GELqyU
— KurtisKuzniar (@KurtisKuzniar) March 1, 2020
@RefereeKevin you just made worst stoppage in @ufc history! You must be proud! @danawhite fire this guy ASAP! @ICutelaba
— Jigsaw (@1enjin) March 1, 2020
https://twitter.com/BrettSparks14/status/1234499261963726851
Worst ref stoppage in UFC history? It would definitely be a worthy contender in that debate. Call it a NC and run it back! #UFCNorfolk
— Tomas Roos (@NorthernMMAFan) March 1, 2020
Wowwww, that must be one of the worst calls in MMA history, Kevin McDonald with an awful stoppage. @ufc
— Kane Charlton (@KaneCharlton) March 1, 2020
(Featured Image Source: Twitter/ UFC)