The biggest talking point from the preliminary card at UFC Abu Dhabi was undoubtedly Steven Nguyen’s record-breaking performance against Mohammad Yahya.
Nguyen (10-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) set a new record for the most total knockdowns in a single fight (6), with five of them coming in the first round.
Although Yahya managed to withstand the onslaught and continued to fight back, the damage to his left eye led to the fight being stopped at the end of the second round.
Many observers questioned whether referee Jason Herzog—one of the most experienced officials in the sport—should have stepped in sooner to spare Yahya from further punishment.
UFC executive Dave Shaw told reporters at the post-fight press conference that he had spoken with Herzog to get his perspective on the matter.
"We talked to Herzog after, and he was commenting that there was certain moments in the fight where Yahya looked like he was right back in it," Shaw said. "So, he'd get knocked down, he got knocked down quickly. I think there were five in the first round and maybe two more in the second. I think how rapidly his eye changed, and got swollen and bulged up – what do I think? Definitely there was a solid argument for that fight could have been called earlier, but he provided his justification, and it seemed fine to me."
Although the injury to Yahya’s eye looked particularly bad, Shaw revealed that “The UAE Warrior” had suffered no broken bones.
"The other side of it now too is post-medical evaluation, going to the hospital – just all swelling," Shaw said. "So, there's no damage – no permanent damage that requires surgery."
When a reporter at the press conference asked whether MMA might introduce a three-knockdown rule similar to boxing, Shaw dismissed the suggestion.
"No, I don't think so," Shaw said. "I mean, the record was five, and I don't want to make a judgment on that just we've got one fight that we're commenting on. We should be looking at a wide body of evidence and I think we've all seen some pretty incredible fights over the years that are three rounds, that are five rounds that have three, four, five knockdowns, and they're wildly entertaining. It doesn't necessarily there's an extensive amount of damage."
