UFC Norfolk bout ends in controversial stoppage
A controversial stoppage at UFC Norfolk on Saturday night sparked outrage on social media.
Referee Kevin MacDonald stopped the light heavyweight bout between Magomed Ankalaev and Ion Cutelaba 38 seconds into the first round. Ankalaev, who won by knockout, hurt Cutelaba with punches but his opponent was still standing and fighting back when MacDonald stepped in.
Woah! Controversial finish at #UFCNorfolk 👀 pic.twitter.com/5rDDr9lMVV
— UFC (@ufc) March 1, 2020
The stoppage wasn't the only controversial moment of the fight. During announcer Bruce Buffer's introductions, Cutelaba walked over to Ankalaev's side of the Octagon and nearly got into it with the Russian.
Between this start and that finish, early front runner for most bizarre fight of the year pic.twitter.com/9rELLXD9v3
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) March 1, 2020
Several media members and fighters expressed frustration with MacDonald's decision to end the bout.
That was an atrocious stoppage.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) March 1, 2020
Yes. Very bad stoppage. Cutelaba was wobbly, but his eyes were focused and the referee stepped in literally after Cutelaba threw a heavy overhand right.
— Luke Thomas (@lthomasnews) March 1, 2020
That wasn't a good stoppage.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) March 1, 2020
Don't get me wrong, Cutelaba was getting teed off on, but he was firing back.
Yikes. That stoppage.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) March 1, 2020
That was straight up stupid!! Knockout??? Are you fucking kidding me?!?! #UFCNorfolk OVERTURN!
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) March 1, 2020
What the fuck was that?!? WORST STOPPAGE EVER!!!! #UFCNorfolk
— Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) March 1, 2020
What a horrible stoppage!!!! The man was fighting! This isn’t boxing!! Damn... that was gonna be a barn burner too! #UFCNorfolk
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) March 1, 2020
I disagree with that stoppage Cutelaba looked fine immediately after the stoppage, he immediately got his legs legs back after the ref stopped it, Bisping might be right he might’ve been baiting Ankalaev to rush him. At the very least it was too early. #UFCNorfolk
— Louis Smolka (@LASTSAMURAIUFC) March 1, 2020
With the win, Ankalaev extended his winning streak to four. He is 4-1 in the UFC.
Cutelaba has lost two of his last three fights.