Nick Newell: Illegal blows changed fight, rematch warranted

Nick Newell, 28, lost for the first time in a fight against World Series of Fighting lightweight champion Justin Gaethje on July 5. Late in the first round, Newell was hit with a illegal knees to the face on the ground, and thereafter was a markedly different fighter. He lost by RSC (strikes) at 3:09 of the second round.

Newell spoke with Sherdog‘s C.J. Tuttle, and said – emphatically – that a rematch is warranted, because he was so clearly hit with illegal blows.

It’s not something that is up for debate, said Newell. It’s very blatant that the knees hit me in the head. I wasn’t the same. It’s obvious when you watch the video that it’s what cut me. It’s obvious that, when I got up, I was wobbly, and they need to closely monitor who they hire as referees, and they need to have stricter standards.”

I’m not saying that I would have won had it not happened. I respect Justin. He’s a great fighter, but I was winning the fight up until it did happen, and it happened, and it changed the fight. There’s no ifs, ands, or buts about it. It was a huge momentum swing. It went from me winning, to me just getting destroyed. I don’t even remember the fight after the knee. I don’t remember anything my corner said to me or anything.

We aren’t playing horseshoes over here. It’s a violent sport, and it’s a referee’s responsibility to catch something illegal that could hurt someone. It cost me half my paycheck and it cost me a world title.”

I honestly think I deserve a rematch, but I am not going to be bitter about.”

I usually watch where I hit. I am not saying Justin’s a dirty fighter or trying to throw his name in the mud or anything like that. I am just saying he got reckless, hit me with illegal blows and it changed the fight. It went from being someone clearly winning to someone else clearly winning after the knees. I feel like I deserve another chance because the first one wasn’t fair.