'That's f***** up': Pros react to Trey Odgen vs. Nikolas Motta referee blunder at UFC Vegas 82
18/11/2023 21:10
Referee Mike Beltran caused a bit of controversy at UFC Vegas 82.
In the lightweight preliminary bout between Trey Ogden and Nikolas Motta — a fight that Ogden was dominating throughout — Ogden slapped on an arm-triangle choke in the third round. Beltran yelled for Motta to let him know that he was OK, but reacting to that would likely lead to the choke getting tighter, so Beltran checked Motta's arm that was clearly active and defensive before abruptly stopping the fight, leaving Motta furious.
The controversy didn't end there, as despite Ogden's dominance, the fight was declared a no contest, leaving the MMA community and UFC fighters scratching their heads. Dominick Cruz fired verbal shots at Beltran on the broadcast — and even on social media after the fact — for the clear bad stoppage.
Check out how other UFC fighters reacted to the controversy during the UFC Vegas 82 prelims.
Tough position there. Ref asking to show him something. Problem with that is showing him something can be the split second mistake that makes the choke worse. Not showing him any type of movement or signal leads to that though
— Brian BOOM Kelleher (@brianboom135) November 18, 2023
I know the ref gotta protect the fighters but a bad stoppage in the third means you fought 3 rounds for half your money
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) November 18, 2023
That arm triangle on motta was not all the way in. Tough for the fighters
— Dominick Cruz (@DominickCruz) November 18, 2023
No contest?!!
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) November 18, 2023
Wow, that was a crazyy controversial fight
— Ode' ⭕️sbourne (@OdeOsbourne) November 18, 2023
#UFCVegas82
All correctly said by Ogden. No way that can stay a no contest. #UFCVegas82
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) November 18, 2023
Wow! That's fucked up! #UFCVegas82
— Cody Durden (@Cody_Durden) November 18, 2023
No win money, and he didn't get the win, and he can't get a bonus….WTF
What a Terrible stoppage.
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) November 18, 2023
That's 100% on the refs not the fighters. Pay that man! #UFCVegas82
— Miles Chapo Johns (@milesxjohns) November 18, 2023
Regardless Ogden was dominant for 2.5 rounds. How is that a no contest? If we had an accidental eye poke and the fighter couldn't continue they would score the fight if it's over 1.5 rounds. I'm confused #UFCVegas82
— Julian marquez (@JMarquezMMA) November 18, 2023
