The controversy surrounding the co-main event of UFC 210 between former UFC Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman and Gegard Mousasi has gotten a new wrinkle to it.
A statement was released by the New York State Athletic Commission to MMA Fighting, it declares that the instant replay used in the Weidman/Mousasi fight was indeed legal.
“Mr. Weidman was determined to be unable to continue the match due to legal blows received, resulting in a TKO,” the NYSAC said in a statement. “In New York State, it has been held that the Commission may review video evidence in order to meet its obligation to render correct determinations and act in the best interest of the sport. After the referee initially ruled the strikes from Mr. Mousasi illegal, he consulted with the alternate referee during the physician assessment of Mr. Weidman and determined that the knee strikes by Mousasi were not illegal. During the examination of Mr. Weidman by Commission medical staff, it was determined he was medically unfit to continue and the referee ruled a TKO victory in favor of Mr. Mousasi.”
Weidman has filed an appeal to the NYSAC in an attempt to overturn his loss, a ruling on that matter has yet to be revealed.
For those who didn’t see the fight for themselves, the fight ended when Mousasi nailed Weidman with a pair of knee strikes to the head that were originally deemed illegal by referee Dan Miragliotta. Moments after Weidman was being checked by doctors for the illegal knee strikes, instant replay showed that the strikes were not illegal, which was relayed to Miragliotta. Miragliotta then went to the doctors and Weidman to tell them that the fight must continue, but the doctors deemed Weidman unable to continue and that prompted the referee to award the fight to Mousasi via second round TKO.
Since the UFC 210 event, the NYSAC has come under fire for the way it handled everything, even UFC President Dana White has taken some shots at the commission.
