MMA fans took to social media to share their opinions on a referee following UFC 316.
Octagon officials are often criticized during high-profile events, but that wasn’t the case on Saturday night.
25-fight MMA veteran Vitor Ribeiro was the man in the middle during the UFC 316 co-main event.
Before Kayla Harrison submitted Julianna Pena in the second round to take her bantamweight title, the referee nicknamed ‘Shaolin’ made a bold call that left UFC commentator Joe Rogan shocked, and fans singing his praises.
Referee Vitor Ribeiro wins fans at UFC 316
Julianna Pena hit Kayla Harrison with three illegal up kicks during the first round of their 135lb title fight.
Everyone in the MMA world has become accustomed to referees giving several warnings before taking action for fouls. So, it came as a major shock when referee Vitor Ribeiro immediately deducted a point from the defending champion.
“Wow! That’s big. That’s really big,” a stunned Joe Rogan said from the UFC 316 commentary booth.
Daniel Cormier added: “‘Shaolin’ is a fighter. He’s been in there and he understands what that means. There is no hard warning.”
Fans immediately voiced their support for the fighter-turned-referee and his drastic decision.
“I hope this is the beginning of Vitor Ribeiro as a stable referee in the UFC, one fan said. While another tweeted: “Love seeing a ref actually deduct a point, especially on a blatant foul like that one. Pena sucks.”
“Julianna Peña 100% deserves that point deduction for striking Kayla. But PLEASE LEGALIZE UPKICKS IN MMA,” a third person added.
“Can I just say it’s refreshing to see that referee Vitor Ribeiro immediately take a point once a foul has been done?? Other referees will give 2-3 chances/warnings to a fighter before taking a point or until a fighter is already visually (or balls) impaired lol #UFC316,” someone else said.
“Hopefully, other refs follow his lead. Who knows maybe every referee was waiting for someone to make the first move like that,” another wrote.
“That damage doesn’t go away. Right call,” a sixth fan insisted.
What’s next for Kayla Harrison?
Amanda Nunes stepped into the cage following Kayla Harrison’s UFC 316 title win
The former dual-weight champion squared off with the woman who will welcome her back to the Octagon following her retirement in June 2023.
UFC CEO Dana White is down to make that fight, but it’s currently unclear if it will take place in 2025.
Nunes vs Harrison could be delayed because the Brazilian isn’t currently in the UFC testing pool.
Once Nunes has completed six months of random drug tests, she’ll be eligible to make her comeback.
In the meantime, fans will debate how the greatest female fighter of all time will do against Harrison.