Sean O'Malley knocks out aljamain sterling. Photo: Reproduction/Instargam
Amid controversies about a possible early interruption in the fight between Sean O'Malley e aljamain sterling, the trainer of the current bantamweight champion (up to 61,2kg) came to the referee’s defense. According to Tim Welch, the pupil's opponent was in critical condition while receiving hard blows and could have had worse consequences if Mark Goddard had not interrupted the confrontation.
“It was a good stoppage, it really was. I saw all the reactions. Sterling didn't appear to be complaining when the referee took him away from Sean. He seemed to be like, 'F*ck it, thank God this is over.' And did you see what happened to Thomas almeida. Thomas almeida had a serious brain injury; There was a lot of swelling in the brain. If he (Goddard) had let it go, who knows, he (Sterling) might have been knocked out worse than Marlon moraes he was. It would have been a bad, bad night. So it was a good job by the referee”, said Tim in an interview with 'Submission Radio'.
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Amid conflicts of opinion, John McCarthy, a renowned referee in the world of fighting, came out in defense of his work partner and stated that the decision was correct. Moreover, Merab Dvalishvili, Sterling's best friend, used his social networks to attack Goddard and criticize the interruption.
Protagonists of UFC 292, the athletes faced each other in a duel valid for the bantamweight belt and had an electrifying outcome. Considered an underdog in bookmakers, O'Malley ended a run of three consecutive title defenses by his rival and became the new champion of the division after knocking out 'Funk Master' in the second round.
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