Nobody was loving the referee’s stoppage of James Vick vs Joseph Duffy at UFC 217.
We’re sure James Vick didn’t mind, but the referee’s timing of awarding him a TKO victory over Joseph Duffy wasn’t well received by fans.
Duffy just about edged the opening stanza, which was very competitive on the feet. His takedown and trip did just enough to get him the nod in the opening frame, but Vick began to take charge in the second.
Vick began utilising his reach advantage more in round two, taking command of the centre of the Octagon and maintaining forward pressure. He dropped Duffy with an uppercut with seconds left in the round, then pounced and began working his ground and pound until the referee called the fight off with less than one second until the buzzer.
AT THE HORN!!!@JamesVickMMA finishes Duffy in round 2 w/ SECONDS remaining!! #UFC217 pic.twitter.com/1bOKhInhXv
— UFC (@ufc) November 5, 2017
Duffy was clearly in trouble, but some folks felt that the stoppage was a poor one.
While the Irishman was rocked by the initial punch, he was intelligently defending himself by getting back to guard off his back.
A lot of people were quick to point this out and complain about the referee’s decision after it was all over.
Fuck was just getting his guard back chin up @Duffy_MMA
— Neil 2 Tap Seery (@NeilSeeryMMA) November 5, 2017
https://twitter.com/lthomasnews/status/926990161254240258
That's a tough stoppage for Duffy. He was still moving, but getting lit up. Right at end of round. I don't HATE it, but I'm sure Duffy does.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) November 5, 2017
On the Duffy-Vick stoppage: Not a fan. Vick clearly hurt him, but appeared Duffy was recovering guard. Clear intelligent defense. #UFC217
— FloCombat (@FloCombat) November 5, 2017
https://twitter.com/FurysFightPicks/status/926991415565062144
Feel like that stoppage was slightly early, Duffy was just getting guard back, gutted #UFC217
— Jack 'Tank' Shore (@jackshoremma) November 5, 2017
https://twitter.com/FurysFightPicks/status/926990409460568070
Vick landed clean shots on the deck, but Duffy appeared to still be in it. I don’t hate the stoppage, but may have been a tad early. #UFC217
— Simon Head (@simonheadsport) November 5, 2017
https://twitter.com/GregMcLarnon/status/926990773396148224
