Protagonists of UFC Nashville, Derrick Lewis e Tallison Teixeira had a turbulent outcome in a heavyweight duel (up to 120,2 kg). Victorious by knockout, the American's triumph was questioned by many MMA professionals and fans, who pointed out Jason Herzog's mistake in interrupting the fight because they believed the Brazilian was no longer able to continue fighting due to the hard blows he received in a row.
During a live broadcast held on Monday afternoon at SUPER FIGHTS News, renowned referee Mario Yamasaki was present at the event to weigh in on the fight controversy. Keeping an eye on Herzog's actions, the "man with the little heart" disagreed with the professional's actions and explained why he considers the stoppage to be premature.
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"He couldn't have stopped it because when the fight is in a knockout sequence, he should have let it happen. What he interpreted there was Tallison's hand on the fence to help himself up, but the right thing to do would have been to let the fight continue to see if Derrick would continue knocking him out and then deduct a point or two. But it never (should) have ended there, in my opinion. If I had been there, I would have given him a chance to recover. If he's getting up, he's aware he needs to defend. The rules say: as long as you're defending yourself intelligently, the referee has to let you continue," Mario stated.
When asked if the referee could declare a knockout because the fighter theoretically only managed to get up with the help of the fence, Yamasaki said that the action is outside the rules.
"No, because we can't tell what the fighter's internal state of mind is. So, there's no way to tell if he was knocked out, half-knocked out, or just acting on instinct. My opinion as a referee would be to let him have his chance or to stop the fight because I think he's no longer fit to fight. I think Herzog felt he (Tallison) couldn't fight anymore. If he had gone up with his hand (outstretched) instead of holding it, I think Herzog's impression of the fight might have been different. But I thought it was hasty."
Derrick Lewis knocked out Tallison Teixeira No. UFC Nashville (Photo: Twitter/UFC News)
When mentioning the idea of taking a point from Tallison instead of ruling a knockout in favor of Lewis, Mario revealed that Herzog could have taken up to two points from the Brazilian due to the severity of the action in getting back up using the fence.
"Definitely (it could have been deducted two points). Because he was in a position to finish the fight, he intentionally used the fence. He knew what he needed to do. If he hadn't, I don't think he would have been able to get up. So it's a situation that might have deducted two points. You can see the fighter's eye right away, but we weren't there (close), so I don't know what angle Herzog was at, but sometimes you can see in a fighter's eye that he's knocked out. He's moving, but he's knocked out."
Finally, Yamasaki explained why disqualification was not one of the referee's options at the time of the stoppage.
Jason Herzog at the moment he interrupts the fight Tallison Teixeira e Derrick Lewis. Photo: Reproduction/UFC
"The right thing to do would have been to deduct a point, not disqualify him. Because he (Tallison) didn't cause any harm to the fighter. He just used the fence to get up, but he didn't cause any harm to the fighter," he concluded.
No longer undefeated in his MMA career, Tallison has already spoken out after his defeat, but avoided questioning or criticizing the referee's action in declaring the knockout. UFC Nashville.
Relive the moment of the knockout
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