A Catchweight contest between Francis Trinaldo and Jai Herbert closed out proceedings on the final UFC Fight Island preliminary card. Here the former missed weight by a huge 4.5 pounds and forfeited 30% to Herbert. However, he picked up the win with a monstrous blow that sent his opponent sprawling onto the canvas. Furthermore, the win called into question a debate of whether the fight got stopped a few seconds too late.
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OUT OF NOWHERE 😳 @Massarandubamma dropped the hammer at #UFCFightIsland3
90 seconds into the third round, ‘Massaranduba’ connected flush with a left hand. This saw Herbert fall backward and hit the canvas as though he has fainted. However, the referee in charge did not stop the fight. Trinaldo too seemed to pause for a while, but after realizing that he had not yet won, he hit his opponent 4 more times before getting the TKO win.
The timing of the stoppage prompted reactions from all corners on twitter with harsh criticism directed towards the referee.
Twitter reacts to stoppage timing at UFC Fight Night 174
One user called out the referee for putting fighters in danger. He also highlighted an old fight along the lines of tonight’s Catchweight bout.
There were calls to stop the fight for it was over.
It was clearly over. #UFCFightIsland3
Another user claimed Herb Dean was ruthless and wondered how he did not see that the fight was over.
God damn. That overhand left hand. How the fuck did Herb not see he was done?
Herb Dean is RUTHLESS
MMA journalist Heidi Fang replied to a video of the fight and tweeted out her thanks to commentator Dan Hardy.
Thank you, @danhardymma
OUT OF NOWHERE 😳 @Massarandubamma dropped the hammer at #UFCFightIsland3
Herb smelling like alcohol and cigs?
Meanwhile, a fan shared a gif of the Grim Reaper with the caption, “Herb Dean”
Herb Dean
Herb going full Roman emperor tonight...
Luke Thomas provided an argument claiming that Herbert had not done a single thing to convince the referee that he could defend himself.
Let's say we can understand the delayed reaction from Dean. Maybe you can't, but let's try for argument's sake. It wasn't merely that Trinaldo hadn't thrown yet. Herbert didn't get up. He didn't scramble. He didn't even move! At that point, what are we waiting for?
Furthermore, one user labeled the referee as inconsistent and claims that he is prone to crowd pressure.
he's incredibly inconsistent. indecisive, prone to pressure from the crowd, and sometimes just totally checked out. Herb hasn't been a great ref for a good, long minute now
UFC Light Heavyweight fighter Thiago Maretta had his eye on proceedings. Safe to say the proceedings stunned him.
“HOLY SH*T!” #UFCFightIsland3
Dan Hardy LIVID on commentary with HERB DEAN, the WORST referee in MMA. Hibernation Herb ASLEEP AGAIN!!!! Suspend him.
The commentary team too began calling for the referee to stop the fight as soon as Herbert hit the floor. The next tweet shows UFC commentator Paul Felder with his hands on his head as he screams for the referee to end the match.
Look at Paul Felder in the background. 👀 #UFCFightIsland3
What did you make of the timing of the stoppage in the fight?
Sources: ESPN MMA-Twitter, The Naked Gambler- Twitter, Danny Segura- Twitter, Caposa- Twitter, Caposa- Twitter, Transracialangel-Twitter, Josh Gross-Twitter, Heidi Fang-Twitter, Michael Morgan- Twitter, Luke Thomas- Twitter, Thiago Maretta-Twitter, King of the bitchs-Twitter, Fight Ghost-Twitter, Simon Samano-Twitter
