An MMA referee was rebuked by authorities for allowing a fighter to continue even though he had been knocked unconscious with a kick.
The shocking incident took place Sunday at the Copa Thunder de MMA Amador show in Sao Paulo, a regional event in Brazil's amateur scene.
During a fight between Jessian Lucas and Michael Douglas, a referee called Kleber Lopes — later reported by MMA Fighting to be an intern — made a bizarre series of calls that jeopardized the safety of the beaten combatant.
Within seconds of the two fighters touching gloves, Lucas knocked Douglas out with a high kick to the head — the first significant strike of the match after they exchanged one half-strike each during a feeling-out process.
Lucas was ready to walk-off after the KO, sensing that the fight was already over.
But Lopes did not call it off, allowing Lucas to pounce on the grounded Douglas before hitting him with six unanswered punches.
Lopes had a second opportunity to wave the fight off but instead granted a time-out, waited for Douglas to stand on his wobbly legs, then allowed the bout to continue.
Lucas then closed the show for good with a three-punch combination which was rounded off with a thudding hook.
It was all over. Finally.
Watch the incident here:
—Barrele la pierna (@Barrelelapierna) November 16, 2020
Anderson Ulysses, the vice-president of CANMMA — which oversaw the event — issued a post-event statement according to MMA Fighting.
"At 11 seconds of the first round, Michael was knocked out by a high kick to the head and the referee made his first mistake, not interrupting the fight.
"He committed the second mistake by allowing the fight to continue with the athlete unconscious."
"We apologize to the athletes, teams, MMA fans, and Thunder Fight for the mistakes committed due to lack of experience of the professionals.
"We inform that the referees that committed the mistakes were interns who were getting tested and had no experience as referees, but had undergone rule courses previously."
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