Following the controversy of Bellator 170’s main event, in which former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz defeated Chael Sonnen via rear-naked choke, veteran MMA referee “Big” John McCarthy has come to the side of Tito Ortiz.
Chael must have been listening to a different frequency then the rest of the world that night. Tito didn't say anything #AskBJM https://t.co/mlIf7nbOpO
— Big John McCarthy (@JohnMcCarthyMMA) February 24, 2017
With the drama beginning with accusations of the fight being fixed, with UFC commentator Dan Hardy being vocal about the claim, Chael Sonnen eventually went on to accuse Tito Ortiz of verbally tapping during the bout.
However, the referee of the bout, John McCarthy, has taken the side of Ortiz. He claims that no such verbal tap was made.
“Chael must have been listening to a different frequency then the rest of the world that night. Tito didn’t say anything.” McCarthy said over Twitter.
The main event at Bellator 170 was Tito Ortiz’s final bout as a professional mixed martial artist, as he has retired from the sport.
Chael Sonnen is coming off of a two fight losing streak. With a TKO loss to Rashad Evans back in 2013 being his most recent bout before Bellator 170.
