Bizarre ruling leaves Gegard Mousasi's over Chris Weidman embroiled in controversy

Gegard Mousasi and Chris Weidman engaged in a highly anticipated clash of middleweight vying for a title shot in the co-main event at UFC 210.

But when the dust settled, we were left with more questions than answers as Mousasi ended up taking a highly controversial TKO victory after landing a knee that was originally deemed as illegal yet overturned as confusion ensued.

It was a bit of a mess for a fight that was just starting to heat up. Mousasi and Weidman were engaged in a high-octane chess match as they both tried to work toward their respective strengths. Then, in the second round, what looked like an illegal knee from Mousasi struck Weidman in the head. Referee Dan Miragliotta called a halt to the action and warned Mousasi as doctors came in to check on Weidman. Moments later, referee John McCarthy — who was outside and not involved in the match — informed Miragliotta that the knee was legal. With the bout already on pause, officials inexplicably declared the fight over and Mousasi the winner by technical knockout.

Part of the confusion came with the new unified MMA rules on “Kneeing and/or Kicking the head of a grounded opponent” that state “a grounded fighter is defined as: Any part of the body, other than a single hand and soles of the feet touching the fighting area floor. To be grounded, both hands palm/fist down, and/or any other body part must be touching the fighting area floor.”

Initially, it appeared that Mousasi’s knee was illegal. But replays showed that Weidman’s hand was off the mat before the strike landed, making it legal. However, New York State doesn’t allow instant replay so the referee’s original decision shouldn’t have been overturned based one what another official outside of the cage had to say. Without instant replay being part of the process, the fight should have been ruled as a “no contest” due to the confusion and the fact that the fight was erroneously halted.

It’s of no fault to Weidman, who was informed up until the fight was declared a TKO that he would be allowed to take a five minute rest to recover from the strike. Mousasi was certainly not at fault either because he did his job. Unfortunately, it’s the fault of the referee and the New York State Athletic Commission.

For Miragliotta, it’s a lot to ask of any referee to make a decision on a rule that is already pretty cloudy and difficult to clarify in the heat of the moment. For the New York State Athletic Commission, the fact that they allowed the referee to change his decision based on an outside source will certainly be taken to task by Weidman and his team.

The fighters did their job. But, unfortunately, these muddled rules will continue to taint the sport until it is cleared up and they are implemented in a better fashion.