GARRETH McLELLAN AND Bubba Bush got the action underway at UFC Dublin last night, with McLellan emerging victorious via TKO in the third and final round.
However, the main talking point afterwards was referee Piotr Michalak’s stoppage of the fight with two seconds remaining.
As McLellan sat dominantly in half-mount, the South African rained down heavy strikes on his American opponent.
With the end of the contest approaching, perhaps the official was seeking to give Bush the benefit of the doubt by allowing him to weather the storm until the bell.
Ultimately, however, Bush endured too much punishment and the referee eventually called a halt to the fight at the 4:58 mark of the third frame.
If you look closely at the clip, to the left of the action you’ll notice UFC lightweight Dustin Poirier sitting rather uncomfortably near the octagon as McLellan fires off his shots.
After the fight, observers appeared unanimous in their belief that the fight was allowed to go on for too long, with a stoppage warranted several seconds earlier.
The referee was also criticised for missing this fence-grab by McLellan earlier in the fight when Bush was aiming to execute a takedown.