UFC Saudi Arabia was a big fight for Sharaputdin Magomedov. ‘Bullet’ took on Antonio Trocoli in Riyadh and secured his first finish in the UFC. However, this win came at the cost of some negative attention for Magomedov. The fence grab in the second round became a talking point on social media.
Sharaputdin Magomedov and Antonio Trocoli competed in a three-round bout on the main card of the UFC Saudi Arabia event. Magomedov went on to knock Trocoli out in the third round. However, the Russian fighter received significant backlash for grabbing the fence while defending Trocoli’s takedown.
Grabbing the fence is an illegal move, and UFC commentator Michael Bisping yelled out, indicating the blatant fence grab. Many were dissatisfied with the way referee Marc Goddard handled the situation. Goddard didn’t issue a point deduction for such a blatant offense.
Trocoli pushed Magomedov against the cage in an attempt to take down the one-eyed Russian. One must remember Dana White criticizing Shara’s lack of wrestling last year. If the takedown was successful, it could have changed the course of the three-round fight. In the end, Magomedov defended the takedown and went on to survive the round.
UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. Aliskerov : Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia . Main card . Free fights UFC On ABC 6 .
Shara Magomedov vs Antonio Trocoli
wtf Blatant Fence grab
Marc Goddard doesn’t take a point ?? pic.twitter.com/IYKoNhpfKS
— Just zipped a bong hit with my bear Ted (@stonedagainbros) June 22, 2024
Taking down Magomedov was not easy; Trocoli had already spent a lot of energy. The final moments saw a sluggish takedown attempt from the Brazilian before ‘Bullet’ put him against the fence. He let out a brutal combination on Trocoli and dropped the helpless Brazilian before the referee called off the fight.
Netizens react to Sharaputdin Magomedov’s fence grab before KO win
Sharaputdin Magomedov’s fence grab caught the attention of fans on social media. Soon, people flocked to the comment section to share their reactions to the foul. For some people, the knockout victory has an asterisk due to the fence grab that went unpunished.
Moments before Sharaputdin Magomedov’s KO win against Antonio Trocoli (Image via X)Others aimed their criticism toward Marc Goddard more than Sharaputdin Magomedov. Even former UFC champion Aljamain Sterling voiced his displeasure upon witnessing such a blatant fence grab from Sharapudtin Magomedov. Here are some of the reactions from X:
Mark Goddard new better than to take a point from a guy named Magomedov in Saudi Arabia
— Super Fan🇮🇪 (@McGregorRousey2) June 22, 2024
If a fence grab that blatant and effectual doesn’t cause a point to be taken, then they should just legalize them. Either cases this egregious matter or the entire rule doesn’t.
— Luke Thomas🏋️♀️ (@lthomasnews) June 22, 2024
THAT LEGIT STOPPED A TAKEDOWN GODDARD AND YOU JUST LET IT HAPPEN AFTER SEEING IT? WOW Now Shara looks like he has Trocoli hurt to the body.
Disgusting Refereeing. #UFCSaudiArabia
— THE MMA GURU (@THATBOYMMAGURU) June 22, 2024
That’s as bad as a fence grab gets. If you want to win fights in the UFC just cheat
— The Octagon Obsessed (@octagonobsessed) June 22, 2024
Goddard letting Shara get away with that one
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) June 22, 2024
I don’t like to throw around the term “dagestani/Russain” privilege but there’s been a very blatant bias towards these fighters today both with the reffing and the judging
— Aj (@AjDuxche) June 22, 2024
Shara Magomedov using his complimentary cage grab perfectly
— Super Fan🇮🇪 (@McGregorRousey2) June 22, 2024
Fight changing TD gets no honor in this scrap. These refs really play a crucial role in the octagon. Now Trocoli gets finished lol. Crazy game. #UFCSaudiArabia
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) June 22, 2024
Marc Goddard…. Cmon Man.
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) June 22, 2024
Aljamain Sterling tweeted that Trocoli’s fight-changing takedown got no honor and pointed out the important role referees play in such fights. It is a tough pill to swallow when someone does not face punishment for the offense they commit. Some fans accused the officiating team of favoring fighters from Dagestan in the middle east UFC events. It will remain a controversial talking point in the coming days as well.
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