The main event of UFC Louisville left fans divided and sparked heated debates across the MMA community. Nassourdine Imavov‘s fourth-round TKO victory at UFC Louisville over Jared Cannonier remains controversial due to a premature stoppage. Imavov made a statement about this controversy shortly after the fight.
Most fans felt Cannonier did not receive a fair chance to recover from the onslaught from Imavov. However, the French fighter remained steadfast in his defense of the controversial ending. Speaking at the post-fight press conference, Imavov addressed the contentious issue head-on. He asserted that the referee made the right call to stop the main event bout.
‘It’s the job of the referee to decide if the fighter is about to keep going or not. He [Jared] took already a lot of damage, he would have taken even more if the fight have continued. So I think it was a right decision to stop him.’
Nassourdine Imavov at the post-fight press conference
Jared Cannonier and his team will definitely disagree with this assessment. The alleged early stoppage will stop the momentum for Cannonier, who had a two-fight winning streak. One of those wins came against the former middleweight champion Sean Strickland. With this win, Imavov also is now riding a two-fight win streak.
Nassourdine Imavov believes the stoppage against Jared Cannonier was the right decision:
“He already took a lot of damage. He would have taken even more if the fight had continued. So I think it was the right decision to stop him.”
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— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) June 9, 2024
The decision from the referee may have left a sour taste in the mouths of many in the MMA community. However, Nassourdine Imavov’s perspective sheds light on the delicate balancing act referees must perform. They must protect fighters’ safety while allowing bouts to play out to their natural conclusion.
Referee Jason Herzog breaks silence on the UFC Louisville main event controversy
The main event of UFC Louisville left the MMA world divided. Referee Jason Herzog‘s decision to stop the bout between Jared Cannonier and Nassourdine Imavov was nothing short of controversial. In the eye of the storm, Herzog found himself on the receiving end of intense criticism and scrutiny.
Jason Herzog breaks silence on Jared Cannonier vs. Nassourdine Imavov controversial decision (via Sports Illustrated/ X)However, Herzog made a move that has become all too rare in the world of combat sports officiating. He stepped forward to address the controversy head-on and acknowledged the fan backlash. Herzog expressed a willingness to reevaluate his actions.
I get it. I know what I was seeing in the moment, but I’ve gotten enough feedback telling me I need to reevaluate, so I will.
Jason Herzog via X
I get it. I know what I was seeing in the moment, but I’ve gotten enough feedback telling me I need to reevaluate, so I will. https://t.co/YwbIg9Mbdh
— Jason Herzog (@JasonHerzogMMA) June 9, 2024
Herzog’s candid admission is a testament to his professionalism and commitment to continual improvement. Of course, the decision to stop the fight was not an easy one. Herzog was faced with the difficult task of protecting the fighter’s safety, with Cannonier clearly rocked and retreating. It’s a delicate balance that even the most seasoned officials struggle with.
