There was confusion aplenty during Saturday’s scrap between Jake Matthews and Neil Magny at UFC Perth.
With only seconds left in the first round, Matthews cinched in a rear-naked choke on Magny. As referee Jim Perdios moved in, Magny’s arm appeared to go limp, prompting him to seemingly stop the fight. Matthews popped up believing he’d just scored himself a first-round finish.
Then controversy reared its ugly head.
After being separated, Magny appeared to be conscious and immediately protested the stoppage. Peridos said that the fight was still on and allowed the scrap to move onto the second round despite breaking up the fighters just before the bell.