UFC is probably the toughest sport in the world, and anyone who steps inside a UFC Octagon certainly qualifies for the list of toughest athletes in the world.
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With that in mind, even UFC has its limits. When a fighter is obviously getting his clocked cleaned the referee has an obligation to step in and keep him safe. Sometimes refs err on the side of caution, and fans end up feeling like a good ending to a fight was stolen from them. This is a boxing example, but the recent fight between Floyd Mayweather and UFC fighter Conor McGregor is a good example of that.
What happened between Rick Glenn and Gavin Tucker is the complete opposite example of erring on the side of caution, though, and the ref who let the two fight it out — while Tucker was obviously getting the snot beat out of him — is now under fire.
Here's a replay of that fight. Clearly, Tucker was not having a good day.
Rick Glenn put on an absolute clinic against a game Gavin Tucker to get his 20th professional win! #UFC215 https://t.co/bLBWTi0uNK
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) September 10, 2017
The response to the fight, and more specifically referees decision to keep it going was hot and heavy on Twitter:
Gavin Tucker's wife was just escorted past press row by security and she's balling her eyes out. Can't imagine having to watch that. Bad.
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) September 10, 2017
This is a further black eye on an already terrible, dangerous commission in Edmonton. #UFC215
— E. Spencer Kyte (@spencerkyte) September 10, 2017
Someone should have stopped that. The referee, the corner, someone. Tucker took too much punishment. #UFC215
— Simon Head (@simonheadsport) September 10, 2017
Does the referee have money on this fight going to a decision or something? My god stop this #UFC215
— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) September 10, 2017
Fan behind me: "Stop the fight, this guy has a family." Some drunken crowd talk I can finally agree with. #UFC215
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) September 10, 2017
It was so bad, in fact, that UFC president Dana White couldn't help but comment on it:
This ref SUCKS!!!!!!
— danawhite (@danawhite) September 10, 2017
Look at that poor kids face!!! The ref needs his ass whooped!!!!
— danawhite (@danawhite) September 10, 2017
That's a pretty bold statement from the president of the sport the ref is overseeing, and it's probably the best example of just how bad this was. Here's a good look at the end result for Tucker:
Kyle Cardinal is the referee who allowed Gavin Tucker to take far too much damage against Rick Glenn. (@allelbows) pic.twitter.com/RU6f3Ne6tM
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) September 10, 2017
Guys, this was not good at all.
Gavin is one tough dude and Glenn had a heck of a fight, but enough is enough.
