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Anatomy of a controversial stoppage: Bulldog choke edition

This past weekend, a highly anticipated fight between Robbie Lawler and Ben Askren ended in controversial fashion, during the UFC 235 event that took place in T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada. Askren had Lawler trapped in a headlock, and referee Herb Dean stopped the fight when Lawler’s arm went limp, indicating that Lawler had passed out.

Fans begun debating all over social media whether the call was correct or not. Lawler seemed to get up immediately after Dean stopped the fight. During the replay, Robbie also seemed to give the referee a (weak) thumbs-up sign right before the fight was stopped.