‘This should be a no contest’… UFC fighter’s wife calls for first round KO loss to be overturned after ‘illegal elbow’

Donagh Corby September 9, 2024

0 2 minutes read

‘This should be a no contest’… UFC fighter’s wife calls for first round KO loss to be overturned after ‘illegal elbow’

UFC featherweight Kyle Nelson’s wife wants his TKO loss at last night’s event overturned to a no contest after what appeared to be an illegal elbow.

Featherweight Nelson had a tough fight week, missing weight on Friday before being viciously stopped in the first by Steve Garcia on Saturday. But his wife believes that the loss was a result of a major error from referee Mark Smith.

Now, Claudia Turner Nelson believes that the Nevada State Athletic Commission should strike the result from his record. Instead, it should be a ‘no contest’, with nobody confirmed as the winner on both men’s records.

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Kyle Nelson suffers brutal TKO loss to Steve Garcia at UFC Vegas 97

Steve Garcia earned himself a bonus with his win over Kyle Nelson last night, landing one of only two TKO or KO stoppages. It came after Nelson had missed weight by 2.5lb, which cost him a solid chunk of fight purse.

However, early in the exchanges it seemed as though things might be going the Canadian’s way. he managed to get Garcia down and get into a solid position on the back, but when it was reversed he struggled to get free.

Ultimately, ground and pound from Garcia was enough to land his fifth stoppage win in as many fights. It has now been over two years since the last time the Albuquerque native lost a fight, and seems to be heading up the ranks.

Claudia Turner Nelson calls for Steve Garcia fight to be overturned

Unfortunately, there was controversy after the final bell. Nelson’s wife Clauia Turner Nelson took to social media to share a series of photos seemingly showing that he was hard done by. One showed him sporting a nasty bump on the back of his head.

But it was the second screenshot of a moment during the closing sequence that seemed the most damning. Garcia can be seen in the image appearing to land an elbow to the back of his rival’s head, moments before the fight was stopped.

Writing on Instagram, Claudia said: “I am so incredibly proud of you [Kyle Nelson] and all of your hard work, despite not being able to recover from an illegal elbow to the back of the head.

“The UFC, refs and commission do a fantastic job reminding fighters this is an illegal move, but now we have to follow through. This should be a no contest. Keep Martials Arts Safe. Protect the Fighters.”

Officiating comes into question at UFC Vegas 97 as controversy surrounds another fight

It wasn’t just Nelson who had concerns about the officiating last night, with controversy also surrounding Jaqueline Amorim‘s win over Vanessa Demopoulos. The Brazilian landed an armbar finish in the first to finish the show.

But her opponent has complained that she was having her glove held during the sequence that led to the submission being locked in. Right as she was getting her rival into position for an armbar, it appeared that she put her fingers into Demopoulos’ glove.

This is an illegal technique, and was immediately called by the fighter, to no response by referee Jacob Montalvo. Once she had got into position, Demopoulos was forced to tap to the deep armbar. But she instantly complained of an unfair move being used, although Amorim has since insisted she’s innocent.