Following Shevchenko Mauling, Fighters Speak Up For Much Needed Rules Change

Valentina Shevchenko dominantly finished Priscila Cachoeira at UFC Fight Night 125. The former UFC bantamweight title challenger was Cachoeira introduction to the octagon, as it was the fighter’s UFC debut.

Shevchenko submitted the fighter in the second round after putting on a 217-1 UFC record setting striking score. Cachoeira was brutalized in the process, suffering a torn meniscus and ACL as well as receiving a bevy of cuts and bruises to her face.

The fight has since drawn some controversy, as some believe referee Mario Yamasaki could have stopped the fight sooner. Now UFC fighters are taking to social media to share their opinions. Rafael dos Anjos and Cub Swanson believe that the promotion needs to begin using boxing rules to allow cornermen the ability to throw in the towel for their fighters.

Taking to Twitter, dos Anjos stated:

“Corners in @ufc should start throw the towel in mma just like in boxing when referes like Yamasaki it’s in change of stoppages #UFCBelem”

Swanson responded to the fellow fighter’s message, stating:

“I’ve been saying this for awhile. I think boxing does a great job at allowing corners to stop fight. Let the fighter save some fight for the future. That is Martial Arts”

Swanson later added:

“The protocol for stopping a fight is the cornerman has to locate a commission official and then they have to try to get the referees attention to stop it. Which I think makes it unlikely to happen”

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