Smith appeals decision at 59

LuvMyCRX® · 04-18-2006, 10:58 PM

MMAWeekly.com has learned that Scott Smith who fought David Terrell at UFC 59 this past weekend has filed an appeal with the California State Athletic Commission.

Smith and Terrell were standing in the clinch, when according to the appeal, referee Marco Lopez called for the fighters to break. In MMA, if the referee calls for the fighters to break apart in such a position, the referee is then supposed to separate the fighters and then restart the fight.

According to the appeal, referee Marco Lopez called for the fighters to break but failed to separate them and restart the fight properly. Apparently, Smith stopped fighting when asked, but Terrell didn't. As a result according to the appeal, Terrell secured a takedown and applied a rear naked choke as a result.

Smith told MMAWeekly after the fight that the appeal is nothing personal against Terrell, he just wants to get a No Contest Decision or at least help fighters in the future from having this happen to them.

The UFC is supplying audio and video of the fight in the case, in which it can apparently be heared that Lopez called for a break. A decision is expected by the end of the week.

I wish they had shown this fight! Sounds like he has a pretty solid case... How are points awarded on a NC?

mepersoner · 04-18-2006, 11:33 PM

Hm, that's interesting.

angryjonny · 04-18-2006, 11:53 PM

I mentioned something about this in the Terrell fight but didn't know the specifics. Thanks for posting something with details. I do think Smith has every right to appeal this decision even more so now knowing what happened. He did what the ref told him to do and Lopez didn't do his job correctly as the ref. I am glad that Scott made it a point to say that it wasn't anything against Terrell and more like prevention because that is what is important. Lopez is fairly new to MMA but I don't know how much experience he has in combat sports, but it sounds like it is very little.

I would support this going to NC because neither fighter really deserves a W or L on their record from the ref screwing up. I don't if they can take away the win bonus from Terrell either. I don't know how that works.

Snow Patrol · 04-18-2006, 11:59 PM

Yeah, I had my points on Smith so I guess in a no contest the points would be returned as if the fight hadn't taken place. We'll see if that's how it's ruled.

PghPens71 · 04-19-2006, 12:20 AM

I had points on Smith too, sounds like it should turn out -- for Smith anyway.

two_guns_blazing · 04-19-2006, 09:44 AM

This just goes to show how far the UFC has come. The ability to appeal an outcome due to ref's error. This could actually be a good thing. If other state commisions see this, such as New York and Ilinois, where I understand they're applying, then maybe we'll see fights in Chicago and New York before too long.

Jras0001 · 04-19-2006, 04:36 PM

could you imagine a UFC being held in Madison Square Garden? that would be amazing....

Master Jones · 04-20-2006, 01:47 AM

You would think that the UFC could come up with a better program for there fights.

subgenius · 04-20-2006, 10:52 AM

The UFC is at the mercy of the system. They have to abide by the various AC's of every State that they want to compete within. The problem is that these Athletic Commissions are basically ignorant (in a bad way, yes) about the MMA that they are judging. They have three judges. Maybe they need five. This is a combat sport, not ice skating or ski jumps. It should not be judged on how pretty a fighter is or how appealing they are -- it's a fight! They need people (not Cecil Peoples) that know how to judge MMA fights.

Snow Patrol · 04-23-2006, 08:41 PM

Any updates on whether Smith's appeal was successful?

Snow Patrol · 04-25-2006, 05:34 PM

Does anyone know where the decision can be found?

Snow Patrol · 05-05-2006, 01:52 PM

Hmmm, guess not. Can't find if it was successful or not anywhere. I bet on the guy so obviously I'm interested as to what will happen but besides that I'm also curious what the outcome will be.