UFC on ESPN+ 17 was not a strong card, but the main event promised wild action, as the ever dependable action machine Jeremy Stephens faced the ever unorthodox action machine Yair Rodriguez. However, the fight was declared a No Contest after Yair Rodrigues raked Lil Heathen’s eye just 15 seconds in.

The crowd responded by pelting Stephens with bottles and cups, and Twitter reacted.

https://twitter.com/MikeBohnMMA/status/1175598371517546496https://twitter.com/espnmma/status/1175602402864484352https://twitter.com/MJCflipdascript/status/1175600450768384000https://twitter.com/KarynBryant/status/1175599570870505475https://twitter.com/francis_ngannou/status/1175600463535890433https://twitter.com/reformacancha/status/1175615729594490881https://twitter.com/DanTomMMA/status/1175598449833594882https://twitter.com/bullyb170/status/1175600061763469313https://twitter.com/PearlGonzalez/status/1175599204258832385https://twitter.com/hindsmmareferee/status/1175601978845650944https://twitter.com/MMAdamMartin/status/1175599617427165184https://twitter.com/arielhelwani/status/1175617852960907264https://twitter.com/NotoriousNewell/status/1175601404095995904https://twitter.com/Benaskren/status/1175600107833778176https://twitter.com/blondefighter/status/1175599823376048128

If you guys think for even one second that @LiLHeathenMMA wasn’t legit hurt then you’re crazy. A swipe like that means that Yair likely accidentally tore Jeremy’s cornea. It doesn’t happen from pokes or happens from a swiping motion. Ask @TheJamesKrause how that feels #UFCMexico

— Laura Sanko (@laura_sanko) September 22, 2019

That’s the most disappointing finish but I hope more than anything @LiLHeathenMMA isn’t seriously injured.

— The Thugjitsu Master (@thugjitsumaster) September 22, 2019

I get that the fans are upset because they paid to watch this fight, but consider Stephens has been living in Mexico for the past six weeks, away from his family, and this happens to him. When it’s a no contest, historically you only get your show money. Horrible turn of events.

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) September 22, 2019

Don't you DARE question Jeremy Stephens's heart or commitment. He has fought the absolute best of his generation often to his own detriment. If ANYONE says he is hurt, Stephens is the most believable of them all.

— Luke Thomas🏋️‍♀️ (@lthomasnews) September 22, 2019

Ppl saying Stephens wanted out of the fight?? He is one of the toughest and most dangerous guy in that division. I highly doubt he faked how severe that eye-poke affected him. I felt Yair would our point him with kicks, but tn we won’t get to find out…Sucks. #UFCMexico

— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) September 22, 2019

https://twitter.com/violentbobross/status/1175600879023509505

😟

— UFC (@ufc) September 22, 2019