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Delija Slams UFC Referee After Controversial Knockout

11/2/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Ante Delija, a UFC heavyweight, criticized the UFC Vegas 110 ending against Waldo Cortes-Acosta, saying the knockout followed an eye poke and the referee mishandled the sequence.
Delija outlined five grievances on Instagram.
The incident has reignited discussions about eye poke regulations and officiating clarity in the UFC heavyweight division.
Delija previously defended teammate Tom Aspinall regarding similar eye poke issues.

History

Historical Context

In 2013, the Nevada State Athletic Commission tightened regulations on eye pokes in mixed martial arts after numerous incidents, with 25% of fighters reporting such occurrences. This move followed ongoing criticism of the UFC's officiating standards. Ante Delija's recent complaints underscore the persistent issues surrounding referee decisions and fighter safety, highlighting the need for improved training and clearer rules in the sport.

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Story summary

Ante Delija, a UFC heavyweight, criticized the UFC Vegas 110 ending against Waldo Cortes-Acosta, saying the knockout followed an eye poke and the referee mishandled the sequence.
Delija outlined five grievances on Instagram.
The incident has reignited discussions about eye poke regulations and officiating clarity in the UFC heavyweight division.
Delija previously defended teammate Tom Aspinall regarding similar eye poke issues.

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