AN MMA referee was slammed by fans for his dangerously slow reaction to a head kick knockout.
Brazilian Joao Oliveira took on Willian Prado in a featherweight bout at Shooto Brasil 132 in Rio de Janeiro.
Joao Oliveira landed a head kick on Willian Prado
Oliveira protested to the ref to stop the fight
But he reluctantly had to continue landing blows
And Oliveira landed a massive head kick in round three which floored Prado.
Prado was on his back defenceless and Oliveira refused to throw any follow up strikes as his opponent was all-but KO’d.
But the referee failed to wave off the bout – leaving Oliveira to throw a couple of punches before the official finally jumped in.
It was far too late and fans were outraged online as one said: “I really don’t understand how some refs got the job.”
Another fumed: “Some refs in MMA deserve actual jail time.”
A third asked: “How can he be a ref?”
The regional event was streamed on UFC Fight Pass.
UFC boss Dana White has been critical of refereeing decisions himself in the past.
In 2023, White fumed at “one of the worst” displays of officiating he has seen when a defenceless fighter was pummelled on the floor.
Jalin Turner floored Bobby Green after a one-two combination which appeared to put the lightweight out.
But Green did manage to cover up on the floor while Turner pounded away on top of him.
Turner then landed a series of unanswered and undefended strikes as Green laid on the ground defenceless.
It took ref Kerry Hatley an age to finally step in, leaving fans and viewers enraged at the dangerously late stoppage.
And UFC president White spoke out to condemn the officiating.
He said: “One of the worst I’ve ever seen.
“The difference is we’ve had some refs say some dumb s*** in the past, like, ‘I allowed her to be a warrior tonight,’ and goofy s*** like that.
“He knows he made a mistake tonight and does not feel not feel good about it, so it’s unfortunate.”
GettyJalin Turner knocked out Bobby Green in 2023[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
