Dione Barbosa left UFC Vegas 115 with a majority decision win over Melissa Gatto, but a controversial second-round soccer kick became the night’s biggest talking point.
Barbosa and Gatto met on the UFC Vegas 115 card, where a sequence in round two saw Barbosa land a soccer kick to Gatto’s chin that appeared to connect while Gatto might have been grounded. Multiple replay angles were shown, but they were inconclusive as to whether Gatto’s knees were off the mat before the kick landed.
Referee Chris Tognoni consulted with ringside physicians, allowed the bout to continue, and issued Barbosa a one-point deduction instead of a disqualification. After three rounds, Barbosa took a majority decision with two 29-27 scorecards in her favor and one 28-28 draw.
The sequence drew immediate reactions from fighters watching along, including Charles Johnson, who wrote, "That is not a foul," and later added, "If knee is off ground it’s not a foul anymore hands can be down. [UFC commentator Michael] Bisping completely wrong here, she faked passing out for the point. Fight should’ve then went to Barbosa via KO after review." Johnson’s comments also referenced and disputed Michael Bisping’s commentary on the incident.
