It was announced today that Charles Oliveira’s controversial victory over Nik Lentz at ‘UFC On Versus 4’ has been amended to a no-contest.
During the second round of the fight Oliveira clearly struck Lentz with a knee to the face while ‘The Carny’ was still grounded – a move deemed illegal in mixed martial arts. Unfortunately the referee Chip Snider failed to see the incident and the action continued with Lentz clearly struggling to regain his sense, resulting in him being submitted shortly afterwards.
After the fight there was a chorus of boos from the fans in Pittsburgh and immediate calls for the Commission to overturn the decision, something that they have now confirmed has happened.
“After review of the tape of this contest and after consultation with the referee the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission has ruled that the results of this match will be changed to a no-contest,” Executive Director Gregory Sirb said in an official statement released today. “This change is a direct result from an accidental kick to the head by Mr. Oliveira to a grounded Mr. Lentz.”
It’s an unfortunate situation for Oliveira as he had looked to be in control of the fight before the illegal knee, but good news for Lentz, ensuring that he extends his unbeaten run in the Octagon to five fights.
Both fighters can also take comfort in the fact that their bout was awarded ‘Fight Of The Night’ at the event, meaning they each pocket a bonus of $50,000. On the other hand Lentz now has to have surgery on a broken orbital bone which his camp claim came as a direct result of the illegal knee.
Given all that transpired it won’t be a great surprise if these two fighters battle it out for a second time in the cage at some stage in the future.
