Weidman UFC 210 appeal denied by NYSAC
Chris Weidman: “I did not win the appeal. I don’t think it was anything we didn’t expect. I didn’t even read it. My wife was reading it.”
The UFC 210 co-main event ended controversially, with Chris Weidman being told by referee Dan Miragliotta that he had five minutes to recover from an illegal knee. Weidman had two hands on the ground, meaning he could not be kneed in the head. However, Gegard Mousasi yanked Weidman up until one hand left the ground, and then kneed his opponent, something the referee missed.
Weidman thought he had received an illegal knee, and believed if he could not continue, he would win. If the ref had determined it was an accidental knee, then the fight would have been a No Contest; if the knee was thrown knowing Weidman was down, then Weidman would have won via disqualification. Next, the fight doctor determined that Weidman could not continue. In the meantime, John McCarthy had seen the replay and told Miragliotta it was legal. Mousasi was ultimately declared the winner.
It was believed that New York does not allow referees to use instant replay to make determinations, so how the final decision was made remained something of a mystery. However, the NYSAC informed MMA Fighting that instant replays are officially allowed. During an appearance on Ariel Helwani’s The MMA Hour, Weidman added that he was told they were allowed in the case of injury. And Weidman said on Monday that he did not expect to win the appeal.
I just got it back in the mail yesterday, said Weidman to Helwani, as transcribed by Peter Carroll. I did not win the appeal. I don’t think it was anything we didn’t expect. I didn’t even read it. My wife was reading it.
I guess when there’s something that happens inside of the Octagon and it has to do with an injury the commission is allowed to look at the replay. I guess, something like that is what it is about.
The rules that were explained to us are that there was no replay. If something happens where there is an injury they are allowed to look at it. That’s pretty much what I heard from my wife.
Either way, I didn’t put my eggs in that basket. I would’ve been kind of surprised [if the NYSAC reversed the decision]. For them to admit they were wrong, I would’ve been kind of surprised.
Weidman next fights Kelvin Gastelum on July 22, in New York.
If they decide to make it awkward [they can], but I’m not going to let them have any power over me or make me feel awkward,” he said. I’m going to be fighting in my home state with all of my fans in front of my fans, my friends and my family. I’m going to be very comfortable. If they get weird about things, that’s on them. I won’t let that affect me.
