Overview
- Dione Barbosa vs. Melissa Gatto, which took place Saturday at UFC Vegas 115 in Las Vegas, continued after officials spent about five minutes on replay and issued Barbosa a one point deduction.
- Referee Chris Tognoni halted the action for the foul on a grounded opponent, the commission did not disqualify Barbosa, and she went on to win a majority decision after three rounds.
- Melissa Gatto told MMA Fighting she briefly lost consciousness from the kick and said doctors or officials, not a dazed fighter, should decide whether a bout can continue after such a strike.
- Dione Barbosa denied intending to kick the head, said she did not feel facial contact, and vowed to keep taking risks as she chases finishes under the UFC’s boosted $100,000 bonus structure.
- Under the Unified Rules, kicking the head of a grounded fighter is a foul that can result in disqualification, and the inconclusive review may spur calls for clearer replay standards and stricter enforcement.