In the main event of UFC Louisville, Nassourdine Imavov scored a fourth-round TKO victory over Jared Cannonier, with Imavov coming into the fight ranked No. 7 and Cannonier ranked No. 4. Despite Imavov’s win, many felt that the fight should not have been stopped as Cannonier appeared to still be in the fight. Imavov landed a big right hand that left Cannonier hurt and stumbling, but he never landed a definitive strike before the fight was stopped.
Following the stoppage, there was widespread criticism from fighters and members of the MMA media. Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill expressed his dissatisfaction with the end of the fight in just two words, while Bookies’ Adam Martin believed that Cannonier’s age and the likely impact of the loss on his title chances made the stoppage questionable. MMA Hour’s Ariel Helwani also weighed in, calling the stoppage awful and stating that Cannonier was robbed. On the other hand, MMA Junkie’s Dan Tom defended referee Herzog’s decision to stop the fight by pointing out Cannonier turning his back multiple times during Imavov’s rally.
While it is acknowledged that Cannonier did turn his back during the fight, many argue that the veteran fighter did not appear finished and that Herzog could have communicated with him before stopping the fight. In addition, Cannonier was actually ahead on two of the judges’ scorecards at the time of the stoppage, making the loss even more devastating, especially considering his age and position in the rankings. If Cannonier does indeed not get another shot at a title due to this loss, it will be a bitter pill to swallow for the veteran fighter.
The controversial stoppage in the Imavov vs. Cannonier fight has sparked a debate within the MMA community about the role of referees in determining fight outcomes. Some believe that referees should exercise more discretion and communication with fighters before stopping fights prematurely, especially in high-stakes matchups like this one. The impact of such decisions can be significant, especially for fighters like Cannonier who may not have many opportunities left to compete at the top level and challenge for a title.
Moving forward, there are calls for a review of referee protocols and clearer guidelines for when to stop fights in order to prevent similar controversies in the future. The Imavov vs. Cannonier fight serves as a reminder of the fine line that referees must walk in balancing fighter safety with allowing fighters to compete and potentially stage a comeback in a bout. As the MMA community continues to dissect and debate the stoppage, it remains to be seen how this incident will shape future officiating decisions and fighters’ careers in the sport.
