In the UFC Vegas 83 preliminary fight between Trey Ogden and Nikolas Motta controversy errupted when the referee stopped the fight in the third round. It appeared as though referee Mike Beltran thought Motta was out, but when he pulled Odgen off him it was clear Motta was not out.
Fans were upset when the fight was called off but even more upset when the fight was then declared a no contest, thus ripping the win bonus from Ogdon who was just two minutes away from earning a decision win.
Here's how Twitter reacted to the fight.
Oh what an unfortunate mess ☹️☹️☹️
— John Gooden (@JohnGoodenUK) November 18, 2023
that was an absolutely terrible stoppage by Beltran. wouldnt have changed the result, Motta down 30-27, its a blood choke, dont need to stop it before he goes out. promise u every fighter would rather go out. now they take the W away from Ogden, late in the 3rd. Go to the cards🤦🏻♂️
— Daniel Rubenstein (@dannyrube) November 18, 2023
Wow, that was a crazyy controversial fight
— Ode' ⭕️sbourne (@OdeOsbourne) November 18, 2023
#UFCVegas82
Wonder why that wouldn’t have gone to the scorecards in that scenario?? #UFCVegas82
— Eric Nicksick (@Eric_XCMMA) November 18, 2023
Trey did fucking fantastic but that was a shitty ending #UFCVegas82
— Shannon (@imstillshannon) November 18, 2023
Terrible stoppage.
— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) November 18, 2023
I understand you're asking for a reaction from Nikolas Motta but you still have to recognize the choke, where its at and recognize if he's actually out or not before making that call. Just bad. #UFCVegas82
Tough position there. Ref asking to show him something. Problem with that is showing him something can be the split second mistake that makes the choke worse. Not showing him any type of movement or signal leads to that though
— Brian BOOM Kelleher (@brianboom135) November 18, 2023
I know the ref gotta protect the fighters but a bad stoppage in the third means you fought 3 rounds for half your money
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) November 18, 2023
That's a tough one.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) November 18, 2023
Beltran asked him to show he was still there, which was difficult to do under those circumstances.
When Beltran felt that Motta's hand wasn't limp, he could have let it continue, but at the same time, his job is to look out for the well-being of the fighter.
The fuck!! That was such a shitty stoppage.
— Taylor Guardado (@taylorgordito) November 18, 2023
The results of the fight may be changed and we'll be sure to update you if that happens.