UFC 320 kicked off with significant controversy in the women’s flyweight division, setting the tone for an exciting night in Las Vegas. This event featured a championship double-header, with former champion Alex Pereira aiming to reclaim his light heavyweight title against reigning champion Magomed Ankalaev. Additionally, bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili faced Cory Sandhagen in the co-main event, defending his title for the third time this year.
Controversial Opener: Veronica Hardy vs. Brogan Walker
The opening fight of UFC 320 showcased a clash between Veronica Hardy and Brogan Walker, a finalist from ‘The Ultimate Fighter 30.’ The match evoked memories of a notable viral UFC incident from nearly a decade ago. In the first round, Hardy nearly secured a finish with an armbar submission attempt. Walker appeared to be in trouble, but the bell signaled the end of the round just in time to save her.
Submission Dispute
- Veronica Hardy protested to the referee, alleging that Walker had tapped out during her submission attempt.
- Referee Jason Herzog consulted with officials cageside to review the footage for clarity.
- UFC commentator Daniel Cormier and Joe Rogan both weighed in on the matter, stating they did not observe any tap from Walker.
Similar to a past incident, Rogan referenced the 2016 heavyweight title fight between Stipe Miocic and Alistair Overeem during the review. Despite the controversy, the match continued, with Hardy winning by unanimous decision after three complete rounds.
Alistair Overeem’s Past Controversy
MMA legend Alistair Overeem also chimed in during the discussions, recalling his own contentious moment from the 2016 fight against Miocic. In that bout, Overeem believed he had secured a tap while applying a guillotine submission, but the referee did not recognize it. Miocic ultimately escaped and won the fight via TKO.
Overeem’s Claims
- Overeem firmly stated, “I clearly felt the tap,” regarding his submission attempt on Miocic.
- He expressed disappointment, noting, “In my opinion, he tapped and it’s a bummer.”
During the post-fight conversation with Rogan, Overeem was met with boos from the Cleveland crowd, further highlighting the contentious nature of submissions in mixed martial arts.
Conclusion
The opening fight of UFC 320 exemplified the drama and excitement that fans have come to expect from the UFC. The matches not only spotlighted the fighting skills of the competitors but also reignited discussions around the importance of effective refereeing and instant replay in the sport.
