The result of a fight getting overturned is always intriguing news for MMA fans. A famous example would be Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier 2. The rematch between the bitter rivals for the UFC light heavyweight championship went down in July 2017 and Jones won via a head kick K.O. However, two months later, the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) overturned the result and ruled it a no-contest after Jones tested positive for banned substances.
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The same CSAC has now overturned the result of another MMA bout six months after the fight. The fight between Kallum Parker and Matt Hampton went down on October 22, 2022, on ex-UFC star Urijah Faber’s A1 Combat 6 fight card. Parker won the fight that night, but CSAC overturned the decision after a meeting on March 6, 2023.
Now the commission has spotted some serious refereeing errors that may have affected the outcome of the fight. Hence, they have elected to rule the bout a no contest. So what exactly happened at the fight?
Why did CSAC overturn a six-month-old MMA fight result?
According to a report from Bloody Elbow, the CSAC stated the result of the fight may have been affected by blatant fence grabs from Kallum Parker. In the third round, Parker grabbed the fence multiple times in an attempt to avoid takedowns. Video evidence from the contest also proves the same.
A pro MMA fight's result has been overturned six months later due to… FENCE GRABBING. pic.twitter.com/PSUmQtGKfB
— Bloody Elbow (@BloodyElbow) April 4, 2023
However, the referee could not see the same from his vantage point. Despite Faber and the commentators notifying referee Milan Ayers, he failed to spot multiple fouls in the round. Parker won the fight via a 29-28 scorecard from all three judges.
Meanwhile, the commentators said during the fight that the fence grabs should have cost Parker a point. Now, there’s no way of knowing what would have happened had Hampton secured the takedown.
This was also the reasoning given by the CSAC where ex-UFC champion Ronda Rousey‘s mother, Dr. AnnMaria De Mars is a commissioner.
What did Ronda Rousey’s mom say about the incident?
The first-ever American World Judo champion explained her stance saying, “I did see twice where he undeniably grabbed the fence. Once when he was being lifted up and once before. However, I don’t necessarily agree with the (in-fight) commentary from a loss to a win… I think it was referee error, and I think it (the result) should be changed to a no contest.”
CSAC executive director Andy Foster resonated with the sentiments. He said, “… all I can say is there was a fence grab, it did impact the fight, I don’t know how much.”
Blatant fence grabs are a serious violation under the MMA rule set. Recently, UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards had a point taken from him for the same in his title defense against Kamaru Usman at UFC 286.
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What are your thoughts on CSAC’s decision? Do you think more such decisions are needed for fight-altering fouls like this? Let us know in the comments.
