UFC president Dana White wasn’t in attendance at UFC Fight Night 158 to give his take on the main event between Justin Gaethje and Donald Cerrone, but senior vice president of content, David Shaw, believes the referee could have stopped the action earlier.
Gaethje, who won the bout via first-round technical knockout, had to plead with with referee Jerin Velil to stop the fight after dropping ‘Cowboy’ with a right hook. ‘The Highlight’ reluctantly landed a couple more shots before Velil intervened and called a stop to the action.
Speaking to reporters at the UFC Fight Night 158 post-fight press conference, Shaw sympathized with the referee but believes he authorized a late stoppage.