UFC 307 featured Mario Bautista getting his hand raised and securing the biggest win of his career when he got a split decision nod from the judges over Jose Aldo inside the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The fight had some moments, but most fans criticized the lackluster bout. In the third round, there was controversy as Bautista stalled for time when he clinched Aldo up against the fence and walked away with the win.
Coming out of the fight, UFC President Dana White gave his thoughts on the fight and the referee’s decision to let Bautista hold Aldo against the cage for so long.
“I always think that the referee should be more active on that, 100%, especially when somebody keeps doing it to stall,” White told the media. “You guys aren’t going to f—king let up on this, are you? I guess we’ll get into it.
If you’re judging a guy, whether it is control, if it’s this or that, if you’re not trying to fight, how do you win the fight? Right? And if you’re looking at attempted takedowns, what about stuffing the takedowns? Just madness.”
– Dana Whtie at the UFC 307 Post-Fight Press Conference
Not Winning The Fight
White continued by noting that it showed Bautista didn’t want to strike and stand with Aldo, so he used the fence. He feels that it’s the referee’s job to prevent that from happening.
“When they see it continually happening and that the guy is not trying to win the fight, then you keep breaking them up…I mean, it’s common sense when the guy keeps doing it and is doing everything he can to not fight and not win the fight. As a ref, you should break it up immediately.”
– Dana Whtie at the UFC 307 Post-Fight Press Conference
