While UFC Vegas 107 may not have been one for the history books, it certainly featured one particularly intense conclusion to a bout.
Held at the smaller Apex facility, the event preceded UFC`s major June pay-per-view, UFC 316.
The fight card was largely low-profile, both in terms of fighter recognition and the overall action. Nevertheless, it provided moments for fans and commentators to discuss, including a submission victory and a decisive knockout.
However, it was a specific incident during one fight that drew sharp criticism from a fellow UFC competitor.
Nazim Sadykhov Criticizes Broadcast`s Handling of Billy Ray Goff`s Loss at UFC Vegas 107
Among the fighters who secured a win at UFC Vegas 107 was welterweight Ramiz Brahimaj, competing in his seventh UFC bout.
The 32-year-old achieved his first back-to-back wins in the promotion by submitting Billy Ray Goff with a very tight high-elbow guillotine choke.
After Goff was rendered unconscious by the submission hold, the television broadcast showed a graphic close-up shot of him, utilizing a new camera angle from referee Chris Tognoni`s perspective.
The UFC production team`s choice to air this close-up sparked controversy, leading fighter Nazim Sadykhov to publicly voice his disapproval and stand up for his fellow athlete.
“Honestly, this camera work is pure disrespect,” Sadykhov posted on X (formerly Twitter). “Get out of an unconscious fighter’s face.”
The Azerbaijani fighter further elaborated on his position in a subsequent post, arguing there was no justification for showing such a detailed view of Goff while he was recovering after being knocked out.
“My take on it is let the unconscious fighter have a minute. It’s the lowest moment for him/her. [Obviously] it’s on live TV but no reason to zoom into someone’s nostrils.”
UFC Vegas 107 Ends Abruptly After Main Event Cancellation
While Brahimaj`s impressive submission was a notable highlight, the planned main event ultimately proved to be the major disappointment of UFC Vegas 107.
Top flyweight contenders Erin Blanchfield and Maycee Barber were scheduled to headline the card, with both women aiming to solidify their claim for a potential shot at Valentina Shevchenko`s flyweight title.
However, mere minutes before the highly anticipated main event was set to begin, a medical issue involving Maycee Barber forced the sudden cancellation of the Blanchfield vs. Barber bout.
Blanchfield, nicknamed `Cold Blooded`, was reportedly compensated with both her show and win money by the UFC. Nevertheless, she missed a crucial opportunity to boost her standing and potentially move ahead of other contenders like Natalia Silva and the strawweight champion, Zhang Weili, in the flyweight title picture.
