Sharaputdin Magomedov scored a vicious third-round knockout win over Antonio Trocoli at UFC Saudi Arabia on Saturday night.
However, his victory was overshadowed by a blatant foul in the second round.
As Trocoli drove Magomedov against the cage in pursuit of a takedown, the one-eyed Russian UFC fighter grabbed the fence to prevent himself from being pulled down to the canvas.
Referee Marc Goddard chose not to deduct a point from Magomedov, as is commonplace, and instead issued a stern warning – much to the dismay of UFC commentators Michael Bisping, Daniel Cormier and Jon Anik.
“He grabbed the fence,” cried out Bisping before Anik said: “That was a blatant fence grab.”
Cormier then exclaimed: “That was about as bad as it gets, that’s one you take a point away from straight away.”
Shocked by Goddard’s decision not to intervene, Anik added: “Either give a takedown or you take a point, but inconsistency with elite referees tonight in terms of how they handle that exact situation.”
It proved to be costly for Trocoli, who was exhausted by the third stanza due to the effort he put in trying to take down Magomedov.
A knee and right hand rocked the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner to his core before Magomedov closed the show with a big left hook that sent Trocoli down and out.
News Summary:
- One-eyed Russian UFC star scores vicious knockout but win is overshadowed by mid-fight cheating
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