The second round of welterweight match-up between Elizeu Zaleski Dos Santos vs Benoit Saint-Denis will go down as an all-time classic. Saint-Denis survived a hellacious beatdown at the hand of Dos Santos and the fans collectively lost their mind.
With over 90 seconds left, Zaleski dos Santos had landed over 60 significant strikes on his French opponent.
Benoit Saint Denis showcasing some true toughness, my goodness! 😤
[ #UFC267 | The prelims are LIVE on @ESPNPlus | @VisitAbuDhabi | @InAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/ZOPjxmD5mD— UFC (@ufc) October 30, 2021
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The MMA community couldn’t contain themselves as Benoit Saint-Denis absorbed a landslide number of unanswered strikes.
Do we really need to see Saint Denis take more punishment? #UFC267
— Marc Raimondi (@marc_raimondi) October 30, 2021
A horde of UFC fighters and fans took to social media and gave their immediate reaction to the carnage. Chiefly, the newcomer referee in the octagon received a lot of flak online for letting the fight go on.
This ref is bizarre, I hope they don't give him any other fights tonight #UFC267
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) October 30, 2021
This ref chose violence today! What else does he need to see to stop this?? #UFC267
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) October 30, 2021
Honestly the worst performance I have seen from a referee in my life. Honestly a hard job but man unreal. Makes you respect the good ones like @JasonHerzogMMA @JohnMcCarthyMMA @HerbDeanMMA and many more. I hated watching that I hope Benoit is heading to hospital right now !
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) October 30, 2021
At several points during the contest, Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos put on an onslaught on his opponent. The commentary team couldn’t believe their eyes as the referee refused to stop the action at any point of the massacre. Saint-Denis was not intelligently defending himself and fans bashed the referee on Twitter for his work on the mat.
Holy Hell, @marcgoddard_uk @MarcRatnerUFC I just watched the worst job of officiating at an @UFC event ever!!! Please just don’t let him do another fight….. EVER!!!
— Big John McCarthy (@JohnMcCarthyMMA) October 30, 2021
Don’t think it’s hyperbole to say this is the WORST referee I’ve ever seen officiate a high level MMA fight. Embarrassing. #UFC267
— Mike Linden (@MikeLindenWX) October 30, 2021
This ref is a masochist
— Aaron Br🎃nsteter (@aaronbronsteter) October 30, 2021
Additionally, the third round brought on more controversy as an eye-poke halted the action. An octagon-side physician wasn’t called in to take a look at the Frenchman who had sustained a meaningful amount of punishment.
Bro who the fuck is this ref this man should be fucking fired Jesus Christ #ufc267
— Sean BRADY (@seanbradymma) October 30, 2021
The most important role of an MMA referee is to protect the fighters. This referee is doing a terrible job of that, in more ways than one. #UFC267
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) October 30, 2021
Where did they find this referee and what is his beef with Benoit Saint-Denis? This is borderline criminal. #UFC267
— Tom Taylor (@TomTayMMA) October 30, 2021
To make matters worse, a point was then taken away rather unjustly towards the end of the fight. It’s safe to say that UFC fans will be talking about the fight for a long while to come.
REF JUST TOOK A POINT???? Where are we?
— Mike Heck (@MikeHeck_JR) October 30, 2021
The referee is Vyacheslav Kiselev #UFC267
— Alexander K Lee (@AlexanderKLee) October 30, 2021
#UFC267 pic.twitter.com/fqa7c1LYnW
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) October 30, 2021
When it was all said and done, Zaleski dos Santos picked up the decision win on the scorecards.
Additionally, after the debacle, the UFC revealed that they had relieved referee Vyacheslav Kiselev of his duties on the main card. Chiefly, this decision made by the brass came as a surprise to absolutely no one.
UFC has pulled referee Vyacheslav Kiselev from his other #UFC267 assignments due to his performance during the Zaleski dos Santos-Saint Denis fight. pic.twitter.com/lt04N8b6ax
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) October 30, 2021
Following the contest, there was plenty of debate amongst fans and fighters regarding the rather bizarre situation that recently transpired. Aljamain Sterling and famed journalist Ariel Helwani had a meaningful exchange on Twitter regarding the fight.
Very valid perspective. It’s ignorant to ignore the pay the refs receive. But it’s always ignorant to ignore how bad some of them can be as well. https://t.co/rWCiRK5shi
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) October 30, 2021
On the other hand, Daniel Cormier went off on a fan who was adamant about bashing DC’s commentary on the bench. The fan also went after Paul Felder, a slight that Cormier wasn’t ready to let go.
I wish it was your momma and daddy were in there and hope@you enjoy the scrap. You’re a complete idiot. And @felderpaul is much more accomplished than anything you’ve ever accomplished! https://t.co/LKcxWUY4tP
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) October 30, 2021
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It’s clear that the hardcore fanbase of MMA will continue the debates and discussions around a fight that has captured everyone’s attention- perhaps for the wrong reasons.
Here is the full fight:
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