Brazilian fighter Gregory Rodrigues returned to the Octagon to take on 35-year-old Denis Tiuliulin at UFC 292. He found himself on the wrong side of a knockout finish. However, this time he was determined to register a victory, which he did against his Russian counterpart at UFC 292.
After losing to Brunno Ferreira at UFC 283, ‘Robocop’ needed a win to get back on track. He had four wins and three losses coming into this fight. While many thought that this fight might be a tough one for both fighters, it was not even close. Furthermore, Rodrigues relatively eased past his opponent in Boston.
ROBOCOP WASTES NO TIME!! 👮♂️@Gregory_MMA gets it done in one on the #UFC292 prelims! pic.twitter.com/jewEsPx0as
— UFC (@ufc) August 20, 2023
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As the fight went underway, ‘Robocop’ immediately secured a takedown. Moreover, he got into a perfect position to mount on Denis Tiuliulin. Rodrigues showcased his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu prowess and took the Russian’s back. He went for a little ground and pound, and there was even a scenario where appeared to hit an illegal elbow.
However, that didn’t seem to make the referee question Rodrigues’ strikes. ‘Robocop’ continued to ground and pound until finally, the referee called the fight to stop. The fight ended in the very first round and Gregory Rodrigues redeemed himself with a knockout win. Let’s see what the fans had to say about the fight.
An illegal elbow strike by Gregory Rodrigues? Fans react
The fans didn’t take much time to share their thoughts about the fight. Moreover, MMA enthusiast, ‘MMA Guru’, claimed that UFC fighters have been cheating for years. Regardless, the promotion never seems to punish them.
#UFC292 I HAVE BEEN SAYING THIS FOR YEARS! UFC FIGHTERS! CHEAT! CHEAT! BACK OF THE HEAD SHOTS WHENEVER YOU CAN! THEY NEVER GET PUNISHED AS LONG AS THEY ARE A PART OF A FINISHING SEQUENCE! IF YOU SEE THE BACK OF THE HEAD! SMASH IT TO PIECES BUT MAKE SURE YOU FINISH!
— THE MMA GURU (@THATBOYMMAGURU) August 20, 2023
The fans also noticed that Rodrigues supposedly hit Tiuliulin with an illegal strike in the back of the head.
behind the head?
— ⚔️Vitothelegend🏴☠️ (@Vitothelegend17) August 20, 2023
Elbow to the back of the head pic.twitter.com/NzzAJFWqHh
— Pepe General (@ChadBasedCrypto) August 20, 2023
One fan believes that the UFC didn’t disqualify ‘Robocop’ because his opponent was a Russian.
That was such a dirty display of the sport. One punch and one elbow clearly on the back of the head. The ref literally in front. He probably allowed it because the fighter was Russian.
— Hugo Adame (@hugoadame01) August 20, 2023
However, some claim that despite the illegal strike, the referee was right to stop the fight since Tiuliulin could not defend himself.
There was an illegal strike in there but the ref was right to call it. He couldn’t defend himself.
— Nick Rishwain (@NickJRishwain) August 20, 2023
Moreover, some fans were in support of the Brazilian fighter.
If that was an illegal strike, how did he win?
— David Pinsen (@dpinsen) August 20, 2023
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One ground & pound strike & he’s sleeping.. DAMN
— LxckTV (@LxckTV) August 20, 2023
The fans also commended ‘Robocop’s ground and pound technique.
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Many UFC fights have seen the controversial ending, and this fight is just one of those moments. However, it seems like ‘Robocop’ has gotten away this time. But the fans believe that the fighters need to be checked and we wait to see if the UFC takes any steps to rectify such illegal strikes. What do you think? Drop your comments below.
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