An illegal leg strike by Lando Vannata in the first round of his UFC 216 bout with Bobby Green was the difference between a Vannata victory and a draw on Saturday night.
Vannata, on the attack in the first round of their lightweight fight, threw a knee at the downed Green. The knee missed, but Vannata struck Green in the head with his inner thigh.
Any leg strike to the head of a downed fighter is illegal, and referee Herb Dean deducted Vannata a point.
The final scores at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena were 29-27 for Vannata; 29-27 for Green; and 28-28 for a draw.