Herb Dean, UFC referee was hit after appearing to stop a fight but then changing his mind. This left both fighters confused.
Marcos Rogerio de Lima, heavyweight, fought Ben Rothwell at Las Vegas and saw the American rock against the cage.
Herb Dean was kicked after he appeared to end a fight and then changed his mind.
This is going to do it!
UFC on BT Sport (@btsportufc), November 13, 2021
Marcos Rogerio de Lima is quick and efficient, taking down Rothwell in just 30 seconds!
Big Ben is downed by big hits!
#UFCVegas42 pic.twitter.com/uB8TxhfQyd
De Lima started to let his hands go, Rothwell backed him up, but legendary ref Dean grabbed Dean, signaling that he was stopping all the action.
Rothwell dragged De Lima along with him as he went down, but Dean seemed hesitant to get between them.
After 32 seconds, the veteran official finally canceled the contest, but there was confusion at the end.
De Lima was still unsure what to do when he was in striking position on Rothwell's top. Dean confirmed his thoughts.
In the press conference after the fight, even UFC President Dana White was quick and direct to ask the referee.
White stated that Herb should stop touching men unless it's over. He grabs him at the waist and says, "Oops ...'
Free Bets: Get more than PS2,000 in NEW CUSTOMER DEALS"The best thing about this fight was that it should have been stopped when he stopped it.
"When they replayed it in slow motion, he was kind of like dancing. He doesn't know how to move, or whether he will jump in or not.
"I like him personally. He's a nice man. He must stop touching other people until he is ready to end the fight.
Aljamain Sterling, UFC bantamweight champion, tweeted: "That's SO BAD! Smh! Is it possible that the commission allows such terrible referring?
It's not an easy job but it's a necessary one. Because he looked at me? Crazy man."
Brazilian De Lima won his second consecutive fight, while Rothwell lost his third in three bouts.
