Joe Cortez did not make a conclusive comment regarding the sparring session between Paulie Malignaggi and Conor McGregor on the latest episode of The MMA Hour.
The veteran referee was thrust to the center of sparring controversy that brought about the knockdown vs. pushdown saga in the lead up the Irishman’s bout with Floyd Mayweather. Cortez oversaw the action after being brought into McGregor’s camp to help him adapt to the boxing rule set.
Cortez refused to make a call on whether Malignaggi was pushed or punched to the canvas, claiming the incident was “just a freak thing that happened”.