LAS VEGAS – Typically it pays off to look at tape in your opponents.
When Melissa Gatto struck Tamires Vidal within the left breast, the response might have appeared delayed and strange to the surface observer. However Gatto (9-2-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC) was effectively studied. She’d seen Vidal (7-3 MMA 1-2 UFC) do the very same factor earlier than, pounced for the end, and received by TKO.
“No, in fact (I wasn’t stunned) as a result of I watched the final fights of her,” Gatto instructed MMA Junkie and different reporters at a post-fight information convention. “At all times she felt that. She at all times tried to cease the combat however the (referee) mentioned to me, ‘Don’t cease. You go.’ I’m going and I end. I acquired my victory.”
The truth is, Vidal had performed the identical factor within the UFC the combat prior in opposition to Montserrat Rendon. Not like Saturday’s combat on the UFC Apex, the referee in that combat, Kerry Hatley, intervened when the blow occurred.
Nonetheless, Chris Tognoni’s resolution to let the motion proceed throughout Saturday’s UFC Combat Evening 241 was the proper name, in keeping with pioneering regulator and former referee “Massive” John McCarthy.
“I really like Kerry Hatley, however the truth that Vidal requires and receives a timeout for a punch to the chest is inaccurate,” McCarthy wrote on X. “Chris Tognoni dealt with the decision completely when Vidal as soon as once more turned away asking for a timeout. It was a authorized blow, you’re harm and now can’t combat…… you lose by TKO.”
#UFCVegas92 https://t.co/NpwEMLJ5s3 pic.twitter.com/Peu5bKNnaZ
— Manpreet (@MMALOTN) Might 18, 2024
With the win, Gatto snapped a two-fight skid. Again transferring in the proper route, Gatto plans to return to flyweight. The combat Saturday was a bantamweight bout, and one Gatto took on brief discover.
“I wish to combat in August within the flyweight division,” Gatto mentioned. “But when the UFC desires me within the bantamweight division, I’m right here. I’m right here to combat. I used to be born to combat.”
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC Combat Evening 241.
You should definitely go to the MMA Junkie Instagram web page and YouTube channel to debate this and extra content material with followers of combined martial arts.