Erick Silva's disqualification at UFC 142 for illegally striking Carlo Prater will not be reviewed despite replays being introduced.
Referee's call on illegal strikes not to be reviewed
Erick Silva's disqualification at UFC 142 for illegally striking Carlo Prater will not be reviewed despite replays being introduced.
Silva experienced a rollercoaster of emotions in the bout as he began celebrating after knocking Prater out within 29 seconds.
However, referee Mario Yamasaki deemed the blows which the Brazilian inflicted to be illegal, despite replays showing they hit the side of the head rather than the restricted back of the head.
Although UFC will not be using the video technology in Silva's case, the decision has been made to introduce instant replays to aid referees.
Intentional
"Based on the referee's verbal warnings and his determination that the blows were intentional and a disqualifying foul, this is not the type of decision that can be reviewed," UFC vice president Marc Ratner told
UFC.com.
"Recently, Zuffa (the sport's promotion company) has decided to implement the use of instant replay at all international events that are self-regulated, and to encourage all regulators to consider the feasibility and effectiveness of instant replay in the sport of MMA.
"While instant replay would not have reversed the call in the Silva-Prater bout, we believe that it could be valuable to referee and the sport in the future."
However UFC bosses have confirmed that 27-year-old Silva has been awarded his win bonus following the contest despite the bout being recorded as a loss.
