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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Two very average sides at the moment, the premier league has been in steady decline for a number of years now.
Both teams not in great form but Utd have the knack of winning games this season when they could be drawing or losing them which could be the difference on Sunday but in saying that it is Man Utd v Liverpool and form tends to go out the window in these games and I’m sure both teams will be fired up for it.
Dont care what gary neville thinks.. lvg is a winner
I watched a good bit of this game, it’s the first time I have seen UTD since the beginning of the season. They haven’t improved much. How are they 3rd.
Because the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool, Spurs, Everton etc, their main rivals from last year are playing worse than Utd this season.
No it’s not. It’s because they’ve got 28 points from 15 games and would be top 4 with that tally any other season too.
I wish ye’d actually upload the video of van Gaal’s response. He is so outraged, it’s brilliant!
Sorry, wasn’t up when I first posted.
In fairness he is right to say he has to pay attention to his words. They needed three points from St. Marys and they got them. There is no point in a past player wading in and being critical when they are 3rd in the league. At least wait until after the New Year to bash the team.
Gway they wouldn’t beat Eggs..
It was a dire performance by Utd. However for the 3 clear chances Utd they converted two which has to be seen as good. On a rugby pitch that would be an excellent return, especially if the other side were dominating possession like Southampton were last night.
3rd in the league and facing Liverpool on Sunday with a number of straight wins…its shaping up to be a cracker for both sides!!