8 Most Controversial UFC Refereeing Decisions Of 2019
4. Andrew Glenn Decides To Allow A Sanctioned Beating - UFC Fight Night: Joanna Vs. Waterson
In one of the most lopsided beatdowns in UFC history, Mike Davis would demolish Thomas Gifford for almost three entire rounds. The first two rounds were scored 10-8's and the third was likely en route to an extremely rare 10-7 scorecard.
The controversy arose due to the fact the fight should have been halted after the first round when Davis landed a devastating 67 signature strikes, of which 46 were direct to his opponent's skull. Thomas was outclassed, outgunned, and the more the fight continued the harder it was to watch.
Even the commentary team pleaded for some type of mercy and begged for the onslaught.
Eventually, referee Glenn would be forced to end the butchering when Gifford lifelessly face-planted the canvas with 15 seconds to go. It looked worryingly like it could have been the first death in the UFC cage.
The entire MMA community at large criticized the referee for allowing the fight to go on, and also the fighter's corner for not throwing in the towel. Though Gifford posted he was alright afterward, he most likely had at least 10 years shaved off his life.
Glenn would be pulled from his future referee duties on the card and replaced by the much more experienced Herb Dean. All due to him allowing a man to continue taking a mauling for ten minutes more than he should have.