Video: Referee receives punch while trying to separate fighter after knockout at UFC Las Vegas 48

K. Peterson receives punch when trying to separate fighter after knockout in UFC Las Vegas 48. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter

The disorienting knee applied by Chad Skelly meant that Mark Striegl could not resist the power and, after a sequence of blows, the knockout in the second round of the UFC Las Vegas 48 last Saturday (19) was imminent. The outcome, however, ended up being overshadowed by an episode involving the duel referee, Keith Peterson.

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Paying attention to the athletes' movements, Peterson followed five more blows from Skelly from above before deciding to interrupt via knockout. However, in the attempt to separate, the referee received a punch shortly after entering on the right side, to preserve Striegl's physical integrity.

'Happy Dominick Cruz'?

The unusual scene did not go unnoticed by the mixed martial arts community, who tried to make the scene viral. Fans even remembered the 'rivalry' between referee Keith Peterson and Dominick Cruz to suggest that the former bantamweight champion (up to 61,2kg) was 'happy' to see the involuntary punch.

In the past, Cruz even publicly fired shots at Peterson after being knocked out by Henry Cejudo, in May 2020. Claiming an early stoppage, the fighter accused the referee of entering the fights with the odor of alcohol and cigarettes.

VIDEO: Referee tries to break up fight after knockout, but gets punched by fighter at UFC Vegas 48

Chad Skelly shoulda got a 50G bonus from Dominick Cruz for punching Keith Peterson for him # UFCVegas48 pic.twitter.com/QAUyVw7tgX

— Jim (@FukingCasuals) February 20, 2022