This Is One Of The Biggest Referee Mistakes In The History Of MMA!
Referee mistakes are an integral part of MMA. But when it comes to life-threatening situations, the ref is the one who decides about possible health consequences and even death. You can be the best fighter in the world but when you’re done the third man needs to step in.
The Demolidor Fight MMA 13 fight between Melziquiel Conceição (Melk) and Rafael Barbosa will be remembered forever. Unfortunately, it is a school example of a bad referee who could kill a fighter with his late call!
Melk tried to push Rafael Barbosa against the cage. After Barbosa defended with a standing guillotine choke, both fighters went to the ground. Rafael Barbosa dropped guard and made a transition to an anaconda choke. His opponent was still fighting for the position but after Rafael Barbosa secured the chokehold from the side, Melk passed out.
Melk stopped resisting while Rafael Barbosa was increasing the pressure on his neck. But the referee didn’t even touch his hand or ask for a signal! Was he even thinking that the fighter could die in front of his eyes? After 90 seconds of agony, he finally stopped the fight!
Luckily, the fighter was taken to the hospital right away and he is fine. He has only complained that he is unable to breathe properly.
In social media, Melquizael Conceição shares his thoughts about that fight:
"I was blacked out for almost two minutes. For a short time, i not dead. The referee not saw that. My eyes still opened but i was completely blacked out.
After that. People was tried to wake me up…"
— Bruno Massami (Бруно Массами) (@BrMassami) August 20, 2018
"and i can't briefing. I saw the people in my side and something in my throat not help me to brief. I just feeling better when i was arrived in hospital." Ended Conceição.
— Bruno Massami (Бруно Массами) (@BrMassami) August 20, 2018
Big John McCarthy was particularly angry due to this situation.
That is one of the most sickening things I have ever seen in MMA!!!! That referee has no idea what he is doing and could cause a death due to his ignorance and incompetence. This is why MMA needs a worldwide governing association that could handle such outrageous negligence https://t.co/bN83YYOHQw
— Big John McCarthy (@JohnMcCarthyMMA) August 20, 2018
We wish Melziquiel Conceição quick recovery. Let’s hope this referee will never step inside the octagon again. Life is the only thing that cannot be compensated! Dan Miragliotta would never allow this for sure!
