THERE WERE HIGH expectations for last night’s UFC main event, which brought together two of the featherweight division’s most entertaining fighters.
However, a premature ending in unusual circumstances ultimately prevented the headline bout at UFC Fight Night 159 in Mexico City from delivering on its promise.
Beer and popcorn rained down on Jeremy Stephens from the stands as he exited the octagon after being on the receiving end of an accidental eye-poke from Yair Rodriguez.
The incident, which occurred just 15 seconds into the first round, forced referee Herb Dean to declare the bout a ‘no contest’, provoking an angry reaction from the fans in attendance.
Fans in Mexico City pelt Jeremy Stephens with beer and popcorn after fight is called. @espnmma @marc_raimondi pic.twitter.com/cxv2MlhljC
— Eric Gomez (@EricGomez86) September 22, 2019
After Stephens was given five minutes to recover, the ringside physician determined that he was unable to continue as he appeared to be unable to open his left eye.
“I don’t know what to feel, honestly,” Rodriguez told ESPN afterwards. “I really gave my all for this camp. I honestly put in a lot of effort, a lot of time. It was the hardest training camp I ever had.”
He added: “You always have to give the benefit of the doubt to your opponent, how he’s feeling. But he’s the only one who’s going to have to live with that in his mind for the rest of his life if it was a lie.”
Meanwhile, one of the highlights elsewhere on last night’s card was a spectacular victory for Steven Peterson, who knocked out Martin Bravo with a spinning back-fist in the second round of their featherweight clash.
Steven Peterson left his mark on #UFCMexico with this stunning KO!
— TAB (@tabcomau) September 22, 2019
🎥 UFC pic.twitter.com/rv8RqVD7er
UFC Fight Night 159
- Yair Rodrguez vs. Jeremy Stephens declared a no contest (accidental eye poke) after 0:15 of round one
- Carla Esparza def. Alexa Grasso via majority decision (28-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Brandon Moreno vs. Askar Askarov ended as a split-draw (28-28, 28-29, 30-27)
- Irene Aldana def. Vanessa Melo via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
- Steven Peterson def. Martin Bravo via KO (spinning backfist) after 1:31 of round two
- Jose Alberto Quiñónez def. Carlos Huachin via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Kyle Nelson def. Polo Reyes via TKO (punches) after 1:36 of round one
- Angela Hill def. Ariane Carnelossi via TKO (doctor stoppage) after 1:56 of round three
- Sergio Pettis def. Tyson Nam via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Paul Craig def. Vinicius Moreira via submission (rear-naked choke) after 3:19 of round one
- Bethe Correia def. Sijara Eubanks via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Claudio Puelles def. Marcos Rosa Mariano via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-25)
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Jeez it’s looking like Leicester might actually do this. Unbelievable! Really hope they can keep it going.
Who the fck is late to a 4pm game?? Jeez Man Utd have become really unprofessional since Fergie left….
Your right Notthatguy they should have foreseen the serious car crash that held up traffic. Shame on them. It’s not like they hadn’t been making the same trip for years
They left it late to start with, thats the issue…. Others made it.
Ah! The comments of someone who never attends a premier league match. So refreshing.
Ahhh yeah, its hard from Canada, do my best to get to one everytime I get back home, but do not lie about it, or go hiding for a month every time my team loses then pretend that I was at the actual games.
Hiding? Who was hiding? I love the obsession Liverpool fans have with United. Can’t believe Ron moved to Canada!
You will be later, again…..
It took the bus 2 hours to make the 8 miles trip to the stadium from their hotel.
I think they gave themselves ample time in fairness.
Like getting through Lucan Village at lunch time.
Took me an hour to get from newlands cross to the redcow once. Thats after id gotten through the lights. I could have walked it ten times in the hour.
You must be from Liverpool then yea ?
Have not been by Newlands cross in years…. How bad is it now? Worked near Red Cow, was always better to cycle.
There’s a flyover there now. No more lights. It’s like a dream.
GET IN! Alli you little beauty!
Wow, a change from when I used to pass through on the 76, tiny intersection….. On the way to Belgard Inn….
2-0 now, BAHAHAHAHA!
LAMELA!!! 1, 2, 3.
Hooray. The clouds are gone and the sunshine supporters are out!!!!!!
Yeah, where was this eggy fool ten minutes ago?
Obsession? Rivalry ye mean, works both ways always will , pool fan
3-0 Karol, who’s the fool now? Dont be so bitter.
Untill the nass drivers can’t find witch lane to get into for naas , kildare drivers are crap
Eggy, to be honest you look the fool only commenting after the goal. (In my opinion)
You are Eggy, obviously.
I love the obsession Irish fans have of shit talking about English clubs. It is a bit pathetic. Liverpool obsessed with United. United obsessed with Liverpool. Who the F cares? Just watch some decent football
LOL! Nigel I expect bitterness from you, get over yourself man.
LOL!
Meanwhile, Niall did indeed disappear, or his mom slapped his as5 to bed….
United team bus stuck in traffic
Should have stayed in traffic!
Yes you should have , but what did mummy tell you about playing in the traffic
LvG probably took notes about the traffic, nothing getting through, good philosophy…..
LOL! I love bitterness so much.
Have a feeling United will win and Leicester will pretty much have it wrapped up today. Stoke might fancy it today against Skrtel and Kolo at the back, Be good to see Ojo and Stewart play.
Hope ur right.
Spurs will go for it now, nothing to lose, so any kind of result for Man Utd would be a bonus…. Sickens me to say that, but for the fairytale that is happening this year, many fans are embarrassed, sickened but proud at the same time. Hoping to see Man Utd win it controversially at the end, and many people turn against them….. Thats the best I can hope for. As for Liverpool, good to see other given a chance, expect a good performance.
Looks Like MU Afraid Too Turn Up
Don’t ever go with your gut instinct Ciaran do the complete opposite
Talk about getting it wrong ^^^
Jeez I’d really hate to be a Man Utd fan with Van Gaal as boss. He’s hasn’t a clue. Blind is way to slow to play at centre half, Schneiderlin is a liability in midfield, bringing on a winger to play up front with a striker on the wing. Look at Pochettino playing his players in positions where they’re most effective. United should’ve stayed on that bus earlier.
Don’t forget mata on the wing and a useless tool (lingaard) in the no. 10 position. Baffling really, the team selection.
Oh Nigel don’t get me started. Van Gaal reminds me of the famous Trappatoni during his Ireland reign. How can the so called biggest club in the world have so many bad players. Depay, Rojo, Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger, Fellaini, Young, Lingard, Januzaj, Jones and Valencia should all get shipped out. How much money has Van Gaal wasted on pure deadwood
Getting truly sickening watching Utd under this megalomaniac LVG , he has to go , ferguson and his ego also need to butt out for a while .I think he is too proud to admit he has backed another nag in LVG . They are destroying the club
Hopefully he’s still charge on Wednesday!
Jesus! I think Man Utd are now officially the most hated team in England, Europe, World maybe…. What a collapse….. Terrible!
Lads, it’s Tottenham.
Classic fergie
A Man Utd friend used to call WHL
3 point lane
Because they always won there.
How the tables have turned
Moreno finally scores! Lets hope he can also do defensive duties!
Well, that did not last long…
Set piece strikes again. Must be 5 years or more since we could defend set pieces properly
Never helps that there is never the same back 4……
Nice play there from Oyo.
Ojo!
Big game this for 3 teams! C’mon United!!!
Can united even create a shot on goal! Jaysus!! Yawn.zzzzzzzzz
3-0 to Spurs..
All I want to say is thank God for TG4 for the small bit of motor sport we are allowed. Someday we might get a little bit more
To be fair Alan we were overdosed on motor sport for years.
Hi Jane maybe on UK channels but certainly not on the Irish ones .
RTE used to show all the F1 races for years. It got huge coverage from them.