Tim Kennedy is a name that most avid MMA fans know, but if you’re new to the fan pool, then not so much. This former Special Forces member who transitioned into an MMA fighter played a crucial role in the sport’s early days. Despite his inability to secure a UFC title, Kennedy left an indelible mark with iconic moments in both the UFC and Strikeforce.

One of the sport’s most significant controversies occurred during his bout with another ‘soldier,’ Yoel Romero, known as ‘The Soldier of God’! At UFC 178 Romero emerged victorious, but the win was tarnished by incidents involving stools, accusations of cheating, and even Vaseline!

A look at one of the strangest incidents in an MMA fight

The Kennedy vs. Romero matchup promised to be an action-packed spectacle from the outset. Kennedy commenced the bout with relentless pressure on Romero. Pushing the Olympic silver medalist from Cuba into a precarious situation by the second round. Kennedy came close to delivering a knockout blow in the second round, but the bell rang to Romero’s rescue.

This is where chaos ensued. Romero returned to his corner, only for it to become apparent that the UFC cutman had applied an excessive amount of Vaseline to Romero’s face. Referee John McCarthy attempted to rectify the situation, instructing one of Romero’s cornermen to remove the excess Vaseline. However, due to a communication breakdown, Romero remained seated on his stool in the Octagon. While McCarthy struggled to restore order.

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Once the stool was eventually taken away, and officials confirmed that Romero’s face was free from excess Vaseline, he had gained valuable extra recovery time. In a mere 38 seconds into the third round, Romero decisively defeated Kennedy. Resulting in the MMA community dubbing the incident ‘Stoolgate.’

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Following the bout’s conclusion, a flurry of accusations and demands to overturn the victory ensued. There was widespread outcry over the fight’s officiation. Romero even alleged that Kennedy had stunned him by grabbing his gloves and delivering illegal punches.

On the anniversary of ‘Stoolgate’ in MMA, did Tim Kennedy also cheat?

When Romero was questioned about the ‘Stoolgate’ controversy, he contended that it occurred because he believed Kennedy had initially fouled him. According to Romero, Kennedy had stunned him by holding onto his gloves, a prohibited action under the rules. Romero justified his extended recovery time, claiming he had been a victim of an illegal attack. An altercation between the two fighters backstage, captured on video, further fueled the controversy.

Recently, Kennedy took to Twitter to commemorate the anniversary of what he called a “robbery” and the conclusion of his fighting career. Kennedy retired from MMA after his defeat to Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 206. According to his social media posts, he continues to train in martial arts and released a book in 2022 titled “Scars and Stripes,” detailing his life journey.

However, the ‘Stoolgate’ incident remains etched in the annals of MMA history- a controversial and unforgettable chapter in the careers of both Tim Kennedy and Yoel Romero.

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