Yair Rodriguez and Jeremy Stephens barely got out of the gate before the main event of UFC Mexico City was waved off.
The main event of UFC Mexico City boasted a featherweight showdown that pitted sheer violence against flash and creativity. Jeremy Stephens was venturing into enemy territory, looking to overpower Yair Rodriguez at home. It promised to be one for the ages.
It wasn’t. Instead, barely ten seconds in, Rodriguez, the hometown hero, raked Stephens across the eyes. Stephens winced in pain. Ref Herb Dean was forced to stop the fight, giving Stephens five minutes to recover.
He couldn’t. Dean did everything in his power to salvage the fight, ensuring Stephens took the full five minutes before the doctor examined him fully. However, even after five minutes, Stephens was unable to open his eye. The fight was subsequently waved off, ruled a no contest. That was a bitter pill to swallow for the Mexican fans, and they let their displeasure be known, pelting the octagon with anything they could hurl.
Not a happy ending to UFC Mexico City. See how the pros reacted to the main event being scuttled early below!
Chills.@PanteraUFC embraces a moment with his family before entering the Octagon. #UFCMexico pic.twitter.com/KIrDR94FrX
— UFC (@ufc) September 22, 2019
Main event about to start! 👊🏼🇲🇽🔥😬😅 #letsgo #mexicocity #ufc pic.twitter.com/bYMAlD7AYZ
— Cynthia Calvillo (@cyn_calvillo) September 22, 2019
When I fight I definitely have my family stay away on fight day but different people draw off different things.
— Nick Newell (@NotoriousNewell) September 22, 2019
To each thier own but I would never want my family all over me right before I get in a cage to fight someone. #UFCMexicoCity #UFCMexico
— Gerald Meerschaert (@The_Real_GM3) September 22, 2019
The Eyes Have It
I’m pretty sure Jeremy won’t be saying “I’m seeing double “
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) September 22, 2019
What a buzz kill #UFCMexicoCity
— Katlyn Chookagian (@blondefighter) September 22, 2019
😑😑😑 #UFCMexico pic.twitter.com/kkNXjOSs5C
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) September 22, 2019
Damn REALLY!!!! @ufc cannot end like this 🤷🏾♂️😤
— Maurice Greene (@TheCrochetBoss) September 22, 2019
The panther scratches @LiLHeathenMMA ‘s Eye 👁….. hopefully he can recover #UFCMexicoCity
— Dennis Bermudez (@MenaceBermudez) September 22, 2019
Credit to Herb for the Old College Try
Good job herbal.
— Danny Castillo (@lastcall155) September 22, 2019
And Herb Dean for ref of the year! 🙏🏽
— PEARL GONZALEZ (@PearlGonzalez) September 22, 2019
Great reffing @HerbDeanMMA #UFCMexico
— Adrian Pang (@adrianpangmma) September 22, 2019
Agreed! Shout out @HerbDeanMMA https://t.co/2OcPaFalER
— Julian marquez (@JMarquezMMA) September 22, 2019
He handled it great 👏🏽
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) September 22, 2019
Mexico City Did Not Take It Well
Mexico City is about to burn down
— Eryk Anders (@erykanders) September 22, 2019
This is sucks 🙄 #UFCMexico
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) September 22, 2019
That is so incredibly unfortunate. No fault for the eye poke and it looked like it grazed straight down. I hope they can rebook this fight ASAP. The Mexican crowd can't blame anyone here, it's just unfortunate
— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) September 22, 2019
That Sums It Up
😟
— UFC (@ufc) September 22, 2019
