The fight between Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad at UFC Vegas 21 was the second fight in Saturday’s event to end without a decision after a foul.
Referee Herb Dean waved out of the fight at the 0:18 mark of the second round, shortly after Muhammed had taken an unpleasant eye that sent him to the canvas in pain. The unfortunate end came five fights after the opening of the event’s main card ended without a decision, when Eryk Anders hit an illegal knee on the head of Darren Stewart, who was on the ground. Including Petr Yan’s illegal knee that crowned Aljamain Sterling the new bantamweight champion at UFC 259, it was the octagon’s third fight to end with a foul in a week.
Here’s what Twitter has to say about UFC Vegas 21’s main attraction and other main card fights.
The nudges in the eyes hurt like no one understands. It must be an automatic DQ.
– Sam Alvey (@smilensam) March 14, 2021
What the hell is happening ?? Unintentional man, but damned. This is so bad. So many faults, so many faults. # UFCVegas21
– Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) March 14, 2021
Maaaan, Leon was looking super smart. Fakes, changes in posture, all great. Shit to see it end like this. I hope Belal is well
– Lando Vannata (@GroovyLando) March 14, 2021
I hope his eye is good. I was afraid to see an eye dangling. #UFC
– Niko Price (@Nikohybridprice) March 14, 2021
Gutted for the Main Event,
Run back as soon as possible !!!!– D (@ darrentill2) March 14, 2021
Wow, that eye is bad after that nudge. Hoping the eye will be fine after that. wishing you a speedy recovery @ bullyb170
– Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) March 14, 2021
Like someone who gets a poked eye at every sparring session, it’s fucking awful. And Belal’s is worse than any I’ve ever experienced.
I hope you heal quickly @ bullyb170 https://t.co/91rnr7JBYk– Jessy Jess (@missjessyjess) March 14, 2021
Ok some things
1. This is what gives me nightmares about the competition
2. As a fighter, you must have the means to err on the side of caution, if you can’t do that, you are really a professional
3. Should we start fighting with the 7 ounce gloves? pic.twitter.com/oXs96DefU1– Louis Smolka (@LASTSAMURAIUFC) March 14, 2021
We need new gloves. Time course!
They are out there. I just don’t understand what we are waiting for to make these changes. How many more eye injuries do we need to bring these new gloves, which significantly reduce the length of the fingers.# UFCVegas21
– Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) March 14, 2021
What happened out there?
– Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) March 14, 2021
Grant with the knockouts
– Bonecrusher ☠️ (@Marc_Diakiese) March 14, 2021
Grant’s punches come around the moon and come back, but MAN they do damage when they land! #UFCFightnight
– Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) March 14, 2021
I thought Kape took the 2nd and 3rd. Difficult break for him.
– Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) March 14, 2021
Come on bro, these guys don’t know the rules ♂️ ♂️ ♂️ ♂️ ♂️ ♂️ some stupid shit # UFCVegas21
– GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) March 14, 2021
Partner! Have we somehow forgotten what it means to be an opponent on the ground?
– Neil Magny (@NeilMagny) March 14, 2021
Are you kidding me !!! Fuck the doctor
– URIAHHALL (@UriahHallMMA) March 14, 2021
Even illegal attack, but no extra show
– Chito Vera (@chitoveraUFC) March 14, 2021
YOU CAN’T PLAY SOMEONE IN THE HEAD WHEN YOU ARE BELOW
– Kevin MTP Lee (@MoTownPhenom) March 14, 2021