Referee Marc Goddard faces criticism after UFC debutant gets knocked out severely at UFC 286.
Dana White‘s Contender Series fighter Sam Patterson made his UFC debut against Yanal Ashmouz at UFC 286. The bout took place in the prelims of the much-awaited PPV inside the O2 Arena in London. While DWCS alums like Sean O’Malley and Jamahal Hill have found great success in the promotion, it did not quite work out the same way for Patterson.
He took on a fellow UFC debutant and hoped for a win on his very first main roster bout. However, the bout only lasted for 1 minute and 15 seconds as Yanal viciously knocked out the home fighter. Patterson, who hails from Walford, England, could not really find a foothold in the bout. He only landed 2 strikes against Yanal, who replied with 15 strikes of his own.
WELCOME TO THE UFC YANAL ASHMOUZ!!!!!!!!!!!!! #UFC286 pic.twitter.com/hXlfUW8hCd
— UFC (@ufc) March 18, 2023
Although Sam was dropped very early in the bout, the referee Marc Goddard let the bout continue for a few more seconds. But Patterson was unable to recover from the initial strikes and ended up absorbing a number of unanswered strikes. By the time Marc Goddard stopped the bout, Sam seemingly suffered a severe concussion and lost his whereabouts. The Brit even tried to pull guard against the ref after the stoppage.
Fans blame Marc Goddard for Sam Patterson’s condition at UFC 286
After the fight ended, fans questioned the stoppage from Marc Goddard. After Yanal Ashmouz initially knocked Sam down, the bout went on for at least 5 more seconds. Although it sounds like an insignificant period of time to the layman, it could make difference between life and death in the Octagon. If the referees do not stop the fights in time, it can make life-altering damage to the fighter. So what are the fans saying about the stoppage?
Here are some fan reactions on the matter
WATCH: Yanal Ashmoz sends Sam Patterson into a different dimension with this FILTHY knockout at #UFC286 pic.twitter.com/jCozwcfwJX
— Shakiel Mahjouri (@Shak_Fu) March 18, 2023
Sam Patterson is in a bad, bad way. I've never seen a fighter this badly out of it after a KO #UFC286
— Chisanga Malata (@Chisanga_Malata) March 18, 2023
Sam Patterson was brutally knocked out over two minutes ago and is still completely outside of his mind trying to grapple referee Marc Goddard thinking the fight is still going. Difficult to watch… #UFC286 pic.twitter.com/G0YqSEdGad
— Joshua Chovan (@thechovanone) March 18, 2023
Sam Patterson really came to thinking he was in a dream fighting 5 dudes backed up in a corner. https://t.co/HfXR0hxh49
— LudisChartaLLC (@LudisCharta) March 18, 2023
That was brutal!!! The guy think he was fighting against five guys after the knockout #ufc286
— Renato Moicano UFC (@moicanoufc) March 18, 2023
Love Mark but what was he thinking…
— Michael Morgan (@mikewhoatv) March 18, 2023
After the event, it will be interesting to find out if Sam Patterson was taken to the hospital or not. He definitely seemed to be in a bad shape after the bout as he confused his opponent with the ref. However, Sam was still moving as he dropped to the mat. Perhaps that is why Marc Goddard continued the bout. In hindsight, it was perhaps not the best decision.
What are your thoughts on the stoppage? Do you blame Marc Goddard or do you think it was a hard call to make? Let us know in the comments down below.
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