Chael Sonnen criticizes the referee’s decision in the UFC 294 bout between Magomed Ankalaev and Johnny Walker. Sonnen defends the UFC 294 doctor’s call to stop the fight. Read more about the controversy and the challenges faced by officials in making split-second decisions.
| Chael Sonnen criticizes referee decision in UFC 294 bout
| Sonnen defends UFC 294 doctor’s call to stop the fight
| Uncertain future for Ankalaev vs. Walker bout
Chael Sonnen, a former mixed martial arts fighter turned analyst, recently expressed his dissatisfaction with the referee’s decision in the UFC 294 bout between Magomed Ankalaev and Johnny Walker. Sonnen criticized the referee for not disqualifying Ankalaev and defended the UFC 294 doctor’s call to stop the fight. The incident has sparked a debate within the mixed martial arts community.
Chael Sonnen Voices Displeasure with UFC 294 Referee
Chael Sonnen, a former mixed martial arts fighter turned analyst, recently expressed his dissatisfaction with the referee’s decision in the UFC 294 bout between Magomed Ankalaev and Johnny Walker. The fight ended in a no contest after Ankalaev delivered an illegal knee to a downed opponent, rendering Walker unable to continue.
Sonnen took to social media to voice his opinion, criticizing the referee for not disqualifying Ankalaev. He argued that the doctor’s question to Walker about his location was irrelevant and that the referee should have made the call to disqualify Ankalaev.
Sonnen Defends UFC 294 Doctor
Despite facing criticism, the UFC 294 doctor received support from Sonnen. He defended the doctor’s decision to stop the fight, stating that the doctor is not allowed to wait five minutes once called in by the referee. Sonnen emphasized the importance of prioritizing an athlete’s health and safety, suggesting that immediate treatment is necessary rather than prolonging the fight.
Walker’s Response and Uncertain Future
Walker’s response to the doctor’s question, where he mentioned being in the desert, was deemed insufficient for clearance. Sonnen acknowledged that Walker did not appear concussed but argued that the doctor made the right call based on the information provided. It remains uncertain whether the UFC will reschedule the Ankalaev vs. Walker bout.
