UFC Play-by-Play broadcaster Jon Anik was furious in watching a record six knockdowns in a single fight at UFC Abu Dhabi.
UFC Abu Dhabi contained wild knockouts, the coronation of a new middleweight star and slick submissions during the night. But one of the most important points of talks of the event is aimed at a featherweight fight between Steven Nguyen and Mohammad Yahya.
Nguyen noted a UFC record six knockdowns on Yahya before referee Jason Herzog should start the fight just before round 3 would start. Yahya suffered a filthy, swollen eye in the loss, causing many to criticized for the battle to play as long as it did.
Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC
Jon Anik weighs on UFC Abu Dhabi Stoppage Controverse
UFC fans did not stop social media when Yahya's injury became viral. Jon Anik looked from home and was stunned by the late stopping at UFC Abu Dhabi.
During a recent episode of the Anik & Florian Podcast, Anik said that the UFC Abu Dhabi -Controoverse emphasizes one of the potential errors of the UFC.
“What do we do in the form of fighting safety?” Said Anik. 'Maybe I should call my friend Jason Herzog, whom I really love:' Hey Jason, it's Jon. Can you do a favor and just stop the fight? 'There is a lot to be unpacked here. … Jason Herzog was the referee for [Daniel] Zellhuber and [Esteban] If you don't hear anything else, I say today, I don't know if I was suggestive on the broadcast that that fight should have been stopped at some point, but I thought Zellhuber should have been saved a bit to perhaps fight another day, and the result was that Herzog had quite masterful and the result was the fight of the year.
“But my thesis is always what we do in the form of fighting safety? The goals do not justify the means when there is a rally and there is a fight of the year. Only because Mohammad Yahya does not have an orbital break, does not mean that he will not pay much for this.” (H/T MMA Fighting)
Fortunately, Yahya received a relatively clean health account after his loss at UFC Abu Dhabi. Yahya had no facial fractures in the fight and CT scans came back negatively.
The stunning performance of Nguyen was a side issue after the late stopping his fight with Yahya. The former Dana White's Contender Series Alum earned his first UFC victory after a debut loss for Jarno Error in March 2024.
Shara Magomedov immediately went under the knife after UFC Abu Dhabi
UFC Middleweight Star Shara 'Bullet' Magomedov also left the octagon with an annoying injury after his fight. Magomedov defeated Marc-Andre Barriault, but left the cage with a broken nose that he had operated on immediately after the event.
The operation of Magomedov was successful, and the talented striker is not expected to miss a lot of time while he plot his MMA. He bounced back after his loss of the first career against Michael 'Venom' earlier this year.
UFC Abu Dhabi was covered by Reinier de Ridder who defeated former champion Robert Whittaker by a split decision.