8 Most Controversial UFC Refereeing Decisions Of 2019

It really couldn't be anything else at number 1. No fight-ending sequence has caused as much uproar as this one in a very long time.

Ben Askren's overdue debut was already as hyped as it could be, with his decade long unbeaten streak and absolutely magic microphone abilities attracting attention.

Finally, in his first fight against 'Ruthless' Robbie Lawler, he was quite literally Angle slammed and almost KO'ed in the first minute. He somehow survived the beating and worked his way into securing a bulldog choke.

Herb Dean would call that Lawler had fallen unconscious only for Robbie to instantly rise to his feet and debate the decision. Replays would show Lawler's arm limply fall to the canvas, then give a thumbs up just as Dean ran to stop it.

The official word from Lawler was that he was perfectly fine. Meanwhile Askren stated he felt Lawler go limp, so loosened his grip and then Robbie came to. Herb Dean has been mixed on his own decision, but the choice was greeted with almost unanimous negativity from every outlet reporting the fight.

There was an outcry for an immediate rematch, but 'Funky' was having none of it and went on to have one of the worst profile years a fighter has ever had. It all began with this stoppage that will no doubt be debated for years to come.

Have a watch above and decide for yourself if the victory was warranted.