The co-main event of UFC 210: Cormier vs. Johnson 2 saw New York’s Chris Weidman against Gegard Mousasi in a pivotal middleweight matchup. While the fight itself was entertaining, the ending was wildly controversial, and left everyone wholly dissatisfied.
Mousasi was touching the former middleweight champion with the jab early. Weidman took Mousasi down with a single leg. Mousasi scrambled but Weidman had a front headlock and went for a guillotine. Gegard escaped and they returned to striking. Weidman took him down a second time but couldn’t hold him there. Mousasi stuffed the third attempt and was able to separate and return to striking range, where Weidman stung him with a right hand. It was a very effective first five minutes for Weidman.
Weidman was hurt by Mousasi’s vicious jab and then an uppercut. Gegard swarmed on Weidman and fired off a knee to the head. Curiously, he shot on Weidman. Not only was it stuffed, but he ended up taken down after Dan Miragliotta separated them on the break. Weidman had full mount and then back mount. A mad scramble ensued and somehow Mousasi escaped to his feet.
Mass confusion ensued as Mousasi landed multiple knees to the head of Chris Weidman, who appeared to be a downed opponent. Replays showed that both hands were not down and that the knees were legal. Dan Miragliotta confirmed it was legal, but Marc Ratner said the NYSAC doesn’t have instant replay. Weidman was hurt on the ground and the doctor was in the cage. Amidst all the confusion, Miragliotta gave Weidman time to recover (which he shouldn’t have), but the fight was eventually called off.
Official result: Gegard Mousasi def. Chris Weidman by TKO (knees) at 3:13 of round 2
We will have more updates on what just transpired. This is one of the most farcical endings I can ever recall in a UFC fight.