UFC middleweight Armen Petrosyan believes Shara Magomedov was saved by an early stoppage in their clash this past weekend.
Petrosyan was on the wrong end of one of the top highlights to come from Saturday’s UFC 308 pay-per-view in Abu Dhabi, where he opened the main card opposite a fellow striking specialist in Magomedov.
The Armenian was looking to stall the undefeated Dagestani’s rise, and he looked in a good place to do so through a competitive opening round. But in the second, “Superman” fell victim to an innovative spinning backfist.
After being put down by the blow, Petrosyan quickly found the referee standing over him while “Bullet” vaulted the cage wall to celebrate.
Though there hasn’t been much discourse surrounding the stoppage, Petrosyan firmly believes it to have been egregious, going as far as to state that Magomedov was “gifted” the win at Etihad Arena.
“It was a lucky punch,” Petrosyan told Red Corner MMA. “I was conscious, I was still in control. I heard the coaches shouting that it was the end of the round with 30 seconds left, so I kept working. He caught me. I thought he would go for the finish but he apparently didn’t. So I looked up and saw the referee (waving the fight off). I didn’t understand what’s up. … I was speechless.
“I don’t consider it a loss. He got gifted a W. The win was simply gifted to him, that’s all. … I’ve gotten a billion messages by now (saying the same),” Petrosyan continued. “Shara can say whatever he wants now. … I saw in his eyes that he was lost. He couldn’t complete any of his actions. … He couldn’t do anything. I eliminated all of his moves. … Of course I would like to get an immediate rematch.”
It appears unlikely that Petrosyan will get his wish for a rematch, with Magomedov’s entry into the middleweight rankings this week seemingly paving the way for a more high-profile matchup for “Bullet” next time out.
If Magomedov gets his wish, that’ll be against former two-time champion Israel Adesanya. But having not received a positive response to that ambitious callout, the Dagestani may have to settle for “The Last Stylebender’s” friend, Michael “Venom” Page, instead.
