Chris Weidman and Gegard Mousasi was a barn burner -- and not even the fight itself as much as the aftermath.
Controversy ensued in the second round, as Mousasi landed a couple of knees to the head of Chris Weidman. The second knee was dangerously close to being illegal, as Weidman was trying to get his fingers on the mat. Mousasi was able to pull Weidman up just enough to land cleanly, but referee Dan Miragliotta stepped in to address it. After determining the knees to be clean, Weidman was then confusingly offered five minutes to recover -- which isn't a rule. Shortly after, the doctor called an end to the fight...even though the fight wasn't originally stopped via TKO.
Per the New York State Athletic Commission, instant replays aren't allowed to consult in the event of illegal knees, which means Miragliotta's original call should have stood.
Gegard Mousasi was awarded the fight via TKO, and frustratingly agreed that Weidman deserved a re-match. Weidman, confused, thought he had his hands down until seeing the replay. Deflated, Weidman apologized to his home-state fans.
The fight puts Weidman on a three-fight losing streak, and Mousasi on a five-fight winning streak.
