Martin Buday was well ahead on the scorecards at UFC Vegas 51 when he dropped an illegal elbow down onto the back of Chris Barnett’s head.
Yet despite being the one who committed the fight-ending foul, Buday still left Las Vegas victorious. After Barnett fell to his knees and prompted a stop in the action, veteran referee Dan Miragliotta deemed Buday’s elbow to be accidental. That left the result in the hands of the judges, as more than two rounds had passed. Buday subsequently ended up sweeping the judges’ scorecards to win a technical decision, much to the protests of Barnett.
Miragliotta’s decision ignited a debate on social media about the definition of an accidental foul and whether the fight should’ve resulted in a disqualification win for Barnett. Check out reaction to the controversial finish from UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, light heavyweight contender Jamahal Hill, and more notable names below.
Clearly intentional ♂️
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) April 16, 2022
So if I get up in a fight all I have to do is land an illegal shot so the dr stops it and I win? Hmm interesting!!
— Jamahal Hill (@JamahalH) April 16, 2022
How is that not intentional? Seriously. The man has his back turned against the cage, what else could he be aiming at? #UFCVegas51
— Chris Curtis The Action Man (@Actionman513) April 16, 2022
Bro… the Ref literally just watched Barnett take like 4 elbows to the back of the head… wtf man.#UFCVegas51
— Chris Curtis The Action Man (@Actionman513) April 16, 2022
That was intensional
— C H T O V E R A (@chitoveraUFC) April 16, 2022