Anthony johnson vs. Kevin Burns, Burns by TKO?

Question

Please explain the rule regarding the TKO. Johnson was clearly poked in the eye, which made him unable to continue. As a matter of fact, reviewing the fight, he was consistently poked in the eye, this fight had all the makings of a disqualification.

Answer 1

Mazzagati called a TKO even though we saw the uppercut miss Johnson's face. However from Mazzagati view it looked as it connected. Johnson turned around and fell back... Burns was shocked he went down and jumped on Johnson for a finish. Mazzagati called him down and pushed Burns off of Johnson to protect the fighter. Once Mazzagati rolled Johnson over and he told him it as a finger to the eye it was to late. The Ref made the call... I have to agree that Mazzagati is the worst of the Refs. If I was a fighter and saw that he was the Ref I would refuse to fight.

Answer 2

He claimed it was a palm strike, but that was a clear eye poke. There can be no disputing that. If you know how to throw a palm strike, you know you don't throw it with your fingers extended and spread out. Totally ridiculous.

Answer 3

I was just curious if UFC goes back and looks at these things and possibly see that it was a B.S. call and reverse or give it a no decision?

I am from Dublin, where AJ is from, and a bunch of us got together and watched it and were all very upset at that decision.

Answer 4

I don't think Burns did it on purpose. But it should have been a DQ. He was warned 3 or 4 times, the replay clearly shows it was an eyepoke. Mazzagati is an idiot. The refs in MMA are getting ridiculous. Ever since Big John left the UFC, the officials have been making bonehead calls.

Answer 5

The ref thought that the uppercut put Johnson down, which is absolute bs... horrible decision, I'm sure Johnson will take Burns in a rematch.