Khabib Nurmagomedov reflected on his dominant victory over Conor McGregor at UFC 229, describing it as a personal vacation and emotional moment, which led to him jumping over the cage and a subsequent brawl. He acknowledged the intensity of the moment and expressed uncertainty about his actions, emphasizing the emotional nature of the event.
Tom Aspinall's UFC 321 fight ended in a no-contest after an eye poke by Ciryl Gane left him unable to see, prompting debate among UFC veterans about whether he should have continued fighting despite the injury, with some suggesting fighters often push through eye injuries.
During UFC Vancouver, referee Dan Miragliotta mistakenly appeared to stop the Kyle Nelson vs. Matt Frevola fight with three seconds remaining in the first round, but the fight continued and Nelson ultimately won by unanimous decision, despite the controversy. UFC pros reacted to the incident, which did not affect the final outcome.
Charles Oliveira criticized UFC fighters for claiming they are willing to fight him at UFC Rio but then backing out when called upon, highlighting a lack of integrity and readiness among potential opponents after Rafael Fiziev's injury withdrawal.
Diego Lopes won his fight with a spinning back elbow but was upset by Jean Silva's cheap shot to the back of his head after the match, leading to a tense post-fight altercation. Lopes expressed disappointment over Silva's actions and highlighted his preparation and strategy that led to his victory, despite the bad blood between the fighters.
Khamzat Chimaev dominated Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319, with his coach criticizing du Plessis's ground preparation and suggesting the responsible coach should be fired. Chimaev set a UFC record with 529 strikes and nearly broke another control time record, showcasing his dominance in the fight.
During a UFC Abu Dhabi event, referee Jason Herzog faced criticism for not stopping a fight sooner despite a fighter suffering severe injuries and multiple knockdowns. Dana White discussed Herzog's decision, noting that the referee justified his actions, and subsequent scans confirmed the injured fighter did not suffer fractures.
A theory has emerged suggesting Jake Paul's fight against Mike Tyson may be scripted, with claims that a contract clause ensures Paul cannot lose. Carl Froch, a former boxing champion, speculated that the fight is predetermined, though he provided no evidence. The bout, set for Friday at AT&T Stadium, has drawn criticism and skepticism from fans and commentators, including former UFC star Brendan Schaub, who suggested making it a bare-knuckle fight to increase intrigue.