Published 7 days ago
Green’s frustration: a fight stopped despite three knockdowns
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Referee Herb Dean stopped the fight between King Green and Esteban Ribovics at UFC 332 despite three consecutive knockdowns from Green. This controversial call left fans and the fighter himself baffled, while Ribovics solidifies his rise with a second straight KO.
To remember:
- Referee Herb Dean prematurely stops King Green’s fight at UFC 332 despite three knockdowns.
- Green contests the stoppage and asks to be allowed to "go out on his shield," a request ignored.
- Ribovics confirms his momentum with a second consecutive KO in the lightweight division, strengthening his position in the category.
Incredible but true: UFC 332 will be remembered for one of the most controversial refereeing decisions in recent memory. King Green, a 40-year-old veteran with 55 professional fights under his belt, saw his bout against Esteban Ribovics come to an abrupt halt, leaving spectators stunned. Despite landing three consecutive knockdowns on his opponent, referee Herb Dean called a stop to the fight, sparking a wave of frustration from the man himself.
Green, who had explicitly asked Dean before the fight to let him "go out on his shield" if necessary, reacted strongly. For him, every round matters in an already long career. "I wanted to finish this fight on my feet, but the referee decided otherwise," he stated after the bout. The frustration was all the more palpable as Ribovics, now 17-3, notched his second consecutive KO, following his quick victory over Edson Barboza in August 2023.
A fight that divides
Herb Dean’s decision immediately sparked heated debates among fans and experts. Some argue the referee acted in Green’s best interest for safety, while others see it as a premature stoppage. Ribovics, for his part, made no secret of his satisfaction. "I knew I could knock him out, and that’s exactly what happened," he confidently declared. At just 28 years old, the Latvian is establishing himself as a serious contender in the lightweight division, where he may soon challenge for the title.
This controversial bout echoes other disputed refereeing decisions in UFC history, where the line between safety and sporting justice can sometimes blur. One thing is certain: UFC 332 left its mark, and Green, despite his disappointment, remains a model of resilience in the world of MMA.
The controversial stoppage at UFC 332 between King Green and Esteban Ribovics highlighted the dilemmas referees face in combat sports. While Ribovics cements his rise, Green’s frustration underscores how every decision can have a lasting impact on a fighter’s career.