Anthony Smith believes Rodolfo Bellato faked being knocked out after an illegal upkick from Paul Craig at UFC Atlanta, resulting in a no-contest, though Smith acknowledges Craig’s unintentional foul.
Anthony Smith, a seasoned fighter, knows a true knockout when he sees one. He’s convinced that’s not what happened to Rodolfo Bellato at UFC Atlanta.
The controversy began with an illegal upkick from Paul Craig just before the first round ended. Bellato fell back, seemingly protesting the blow to the referee.
Then, in a twist, Bellato appeared to lose consciousness, only to wake and grapple with the referee. Referee Kevin McDonald eventually called it a no-contest, but Smith remains skeptical.
“It was a great fight, but the ending was just weird,” Smith remarked during the post-fight show. Craig was aggressive with his takedowns, and then came the illegal upkick while Bellato had a knee down.
Smith didn’t mince words. “Bellato looked to the ref, realized the opportunity for a free win, and played unconscious,” he claimed. “I’ve seen this before. It’s a fake.”
Smith reviewed the replay and stood firm in his belief. Despite acknowledging Craig’s illegal kick, he doubted Bellato was truly hurt.
“He’s acting,” Smith commented, replaying the scene. “The jolt back awake was the worst performance. I feel for Paul Craig.”
Amid laughter and disbelief, Smith noted Craig’s unintentional rule-breaking. Yet, he questioned the necessity of stopping the fight, suspecting Bellato’s act.
The fight had already faced delays due to Bellato’s health issues. Rescheduled in Atlanta, it ended in an unsatisfying no-contest.
Smith empathized with Craig, who pushed for the fight only to face such an odd conclusion. “I do feel for Paul Craig,” he said. “He deserved a real result.”