Common sense ultimately prevailed here.
The New York State Athletic Commission made several decisions to minimise the potential for any controversy at UFC 217 on Saturday night.
The commission opted to allow for instant replay ahead of one of the cards of the year, in the hope of avoiding a repeat of the confusion which followed Gegard Mousasi’s contentious stoppage of Chris Weidman at UFC 210 in April.
For what it’s worth, the commission also decided to enforce a rule which would see the loss of any bodily fluids (vomit, urine, bowels) result in a TKO defeat following Justine Kish’s unfortunate accident against Felice Herrig in June.
While nobody shat themselves on Saturday at UFC 217 (to our knowledge), there was plenty of controversy in the second bout on the card as instant replay was required in Curtis Blaydes’ victory over Aleksei Oleinik.
Blaydes ended the opening round in tremendous style as he stunned his opponent with a furious flurry.
What a freaking end to the round!! @RazorBlaydes265 lands over and over on Oleinik but he stays standing! #UFC217 pic.twitter.com/Q73n6RcT1m
— UFC (@ufc) November 4, 2017
Oleinik answered the bell for the second round but, two minutes into the action after the break, controversy left several fight fans confused as Blaydes attempted a definitely illegal soccer kick on the downed Oleinik.
The kick didn’t connect fully with the Russian but, rather, just grazed his earlobe.
#CurtisBlaydes defeated Aleksei Oleinik via #EarFlickKick tonight at #UFC217 pic.twitter.com/dyKQj8pv5e
— Eric Kowal (@MyMMANews) November 5, 2017
Referee Blake Grice was left in a tricky situation because the strike was illegal but, on the other hand, it caused precisely zero damage and Oleinik was suffering from completely legal damage, rather than the flick to his ear.
Instant replay was consulted, as were UFC VP Marc Ratner and veteran official Dan Miragliotta, before a decision was reached.
Most viewers were in agreement that the correct call was made as a TKO victory was awarded to Blaydes but the process of arriving at the decision was undeniably unusual.
“A W is a W,” Blaydes said of the strange nature of his win. “I still get my money. I still get to move up in the rankings.”
Curtis Blaydes with the post-fight celebration that says it all, and what it says is: 'Whatever, bro.' pic.twitter.com/Hu5wc6P1Wv
— Ben Fowlkes (@benfowlkesMMA) November 4, 2017
