NYSAC Clarifies Replay Controversy, Can Review Video ‘to Arrive at Correct Determination’

It appears that Chris Weidman might not have much of an appeal following his loss to Gegard Mousasi at UFC 210.

The April 8 bout in Buffalo, N.Y., was halted after Mousasi landed what referee Dan Miragliotta deemed to be an illegal knee in the second round. Initially, Weidman was given five minutes to recover from the blow, but Miragliotta consulted with fellow official “Big” John McCarthy, who told him that the knee landed by Mousasi was indeed legal.

Shortly thereafter, cageside physicians examined Weidman and ruled him unfit to continue, giving Mousasi the technical knockout victory at the 3:13 mark of round two. Meanwhile, UFC Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Marc Ratner appeared on the pay-per-view broadcast and said that the use of instant replay was not allowable in New York.

It appears that Ratner’s claim was not correct, as the New York State Athletic Commission clarified its instant replay policy in a statement released to Sherdog.com.

“The Commission acted to both protect Mr. Weidman’s health and safety, and to achieve the correct result regarding the outcome of the bout,” the statement read. “Commission doctors determined Mr. Weidman medically unfit to continue the bout following the knee strikes.

“The question of the legality of the knee strikes impacts only the outcome of bout—would it be ruled a loss by technical knockout for Mr. Weidman, or would his opponent be disqualified for delivering illegal strikes. The Commission has the discretion to review video evidence in order to arrive at the correct determination. Upon referee consultation and a review of video evidence, the initial ruling the knee strikes constituted illegal strikes was overturned. This resulted in the correct result—Mr. Mousasi won the bout by technical knockout.”

Weidman reportedly filed an appeal to the NYSAC on Monday, and trainer Ray Longo blasted Miragliottta’s ruling in an interview on the Anik & Florian podcast. After beginning his career with 13 consecutive victories, Weidman has now lost three consecutive bouts via stoppage.