Paul Craig vs. Rodolfo Bellato might be cursed after a bizarre result at UFC Atlanta.
UFC Atlanta featured almost everything fight fans could want in a Fight Night card on Saturday night, including one of the strangest finishes you’ll ever see.
A light heavyweight matchup between Paul Craig and Rodolfo Bellato was rescheduled for UFC Atlanta after a last-second fight cancellation earlier this year. It was an important bout for both fighters; especially Craig, who entered the matchup having lost three-straight fights.
While fight fans expected an intriguing stylistic matchup between Craig and Bellato, few could’ve predicted the chaos that ensued.
Justin Gaethje, others scold Rodolfo Bellato for the ‘biggest flop in MMA history’
Bellato landed a big takedown on Craig in Round 1, getting top mount and appearing in control as the round neared a close. But with seconds left, Craig landed an illegal up-kick that sent Bellato flying backwards, appearing unconscious due to the infraction.
Craig quickly protested the referee, who waved off the fight due to the illegal blow. But things got stranger after Bellato originally appeared to complain to the referee immediately after the up-kick, before attempting to grapple the official as he attempted to attend to him.
Craig vs. Bellato was ruled a ‘no contest’ due to Craig’s up-kick being deemed ‘accidental’.
Watch the chaotic scene below.
Many accused Bellato of faking the knockout blow, including several prominent names. UFC fighters and fans went wild on social media after the Craig vs. Bellato ending.
“Biggest flop in mma history,” Justin Gaethje said in an X post.
“Am I crazy for thinking he faked this?? How do you look at the judge and complain on the way to being ko’ed?” UFC strawweight Angela Hill posted on X.
“Oscar-worthy,” one fan wrote on X.
“Bellato should get an oscar for that,” another said.
“Y’all rewind that. He faked the KO.”
“That was wild!”
“Bad acting.”
“There’s no way he’s faking that s—.”
“Just like the city, this card has a bit of everything.”
“He woke up fighting demons.”
Craig and Bellato were supposed to square off at UFC Vegas 106 last month, before Bellato was forced out of the matchup after alleging a bizarre medical-related withdrawal.
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Rodolfo Bellato blamed ‘herpes’ for UFC Vegas 106 fight cancellation
After the first fight cancellation, Bellato claimed a ‘herpes’ diagnosis forced doctors to pull him out of his scheduled UFC Vegas 106 clash with Craig. The fight was scratched on hours’ notice and then rescheduled for UFC Atlanta on Saturday.
As of this writing, it’s uncertain if Bellato vs. Craig will be rescheduled for a third time, or if the UFC matchmakers will go in another direction for both fighters. Bellato, a Dana White’s Contender Series alum, went to a majority draw with Jimmy Crute at UFC 312 before the back-to-back bookings against Craig.
The Craig vs. Bellato no-contest wrapped up what were entertaining UFC Atlanta prelim bouts on Saturday. Malcolm Wellmaker and Phil Rowe earned highlight-reel knockouts in front of a rowdy crowd at State Farm Arena.