Steven Nguyen delivered a dominant performance against Mohammad Yahya at UFC Abu Dhabi, leading to a controversial stoppage after multiple knockdowns and severe damage, raising concerns from fighters and commentators about the fight’s duration.
Steven Nguyen delivered one of the most dominant performances in UFC history. Yet, some fighters are questioning if things went too far.
In a preliminary featherweight bout at UFC Abu Dhabi, Nguyen absolutely battered Mohammad Yahya. He scored multiple knockdowns in the first round, causing significant damage in Round 2. The fight was mercifully stopped at the end of the second round, with Yahya’s eye grotesquely swollen.
Referee Jason Herzog and Yahya’s corner showed little interest in stopping the fight after a brutal opening round. This decision surprised many fighters watching Saturday’s event.
Former UFC fighter Zac Pauga tweeted, “Herzog wants to see a dead body up close and I respect it.”
Veteran MMA commentator Dan Hardy remarked that the Round 1 beatdown looked like a “stop the fight” moment.
Check out social media reactions to Nguyen’s performance below.
Kinda felt like a “stop the fight” moment there… What was that, five knockdowns?
— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma)
Congrats Nguyen you earned that and set a record for knockdowns
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155)