"Rumble" undergoes eye surgery

T-Bone · 07-27-2008, 09:49 AM

Mazzagatti was so freakin' clueless.

Five Ounces of Pain | Anthony Johnson undergoes eye surgery

Quote:

UFC welterweight Anthony “Rumble” Johnson has undergone surgery as a result of an eye injury sustained against Kevin Burns during their bout at UFC Fight Night 14, MMAWeekly.com is reporting.

Despite taking an obvious illegal finger to the eye, Johnson was declared the loser last Saturday via TKO after he darted to the mat and covered up following the infraction.

Up until the foul, many pundits considered Johnson the likely winner had the bout gone to decision.

“My retina was damaged, possibly detached, and the laceration was pretty long,” Johnson is quoted as telling MMA Weekly’s Mick Hammond. “It was basically from one end of my eye to the other. They did laser surgery that took about two hours, put some stitches on it basically.”

While Johnson has taken the high road throughout the incident, he still believes that Burns shouldn’t be allowed to fight until he gets his injured hand repaired. According to Burns, the reason why he throws his jab with an open palm is because he’s broken it three times in the last sixteen months.

“I told my agent, Ken Pavia, I have nothing against Kevin; but personally I don’t want him to fight again until he gets his hands fixed,” Johnson is quoted as saying. “I don’t want any other fighter to go through what I went through.”

“I don’t think it’s cool that he fought with his hands like that. It put himself and others that he’s competing with in danger. Just look at me. I can accept a loss, but I can’t accept a loss or the consequence of someone else’s wrong doing in a fight like that.”

Johnson indicated that he should be healthy enough to fight again in September or October.

kbtat2 · 07-27-2008, 11:35 AM

That really sucks that he was injured so badly from that. I thought he remained exceptionally cool considering all the eye pokes leading up to the "loss".

Rush · 07-27-2008, 11:49 AM

Yeah, I definitely don't think it was a loss. He's been very polite about the whole thing, a lot more polite than I would be anyway.

Ventre · 07-27-2008, 11:57 AM

I am wondering if the offical called it for the other guy because it was unintentional & rumble couldn't continue?

Maybe if it was intentional then it would be for rumble but now I am curious if maybe this is how they see things *shrugs*

CapAmericaFTW · 07-27-2008, 01:21 PM

Not sure how it could be called anything but intentional.

Burns said after the fight that he INTENTIONALLY kept his hand open with each leading jab.

Regardless of his prior history (said he'd broken his hand several times while closed-fist punching) it should be ruled a disqualification on Burns.

WanderleiSilver · 07-27-2008, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CapAmericaFTW

Not sure how it could be called anything but intentional.

Burns said after the fight that he INTENTIONALLY kept his hand open with each leading jab.

Regardless of his prior history (said he'd broken his hand several times while closed-fist punching) it should be ruled a disqualification on Burns.

He can't close-fist punch at all and open palm strikes aren't illegal but unfortunately they can lead to fingers in the eye.

The referee should have been keeping a closer look, especially after it happened several times.

NWCrazy · 07-27-2008, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kbtat2

That really sucks that he was injured so badly from that. I thought he remained exceptionally cool considering all the eye pokes leading up to the "loss".

Yup.

But it's been done. I think he has a good point: Kevin Burns should have his hand repaired or be prevented from fighting. I totally agree with that.

Brolaca · 07-27-2008, 02:02 PM

Terrible job reffing... I was watching this on TV and it was CLEAR there were MULTIPLE eye pokes.

The decision was a disgrace too, I am surprised Johnson is being so well behaved. I think Dana should reinvestigate his referees

KungFuGrip · 07-27-2008, 03:15 PM

Poor Rumble, and I don't even care for the guy, after he made arrogant commments. I do hope the outcome of that fight gets over turned.

nurspec · 07-27-2008, 10:03 PM

My question is ,how did he pass a physical to fight in the first place.If i'm "Rumble" i'm looking to sue the state that fight was in,i'm sorry.

the preach man · 07-27-2008, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jplaca

I think Dana should reinvestigate his referees

I didnt realize that Dana had any referees on payroll.?.?

KungFuGrip · 07-27-2008, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the preach man

I didnt realize that Dana had any referees on payroll.?.?

Exactly, the state athletic commisions are there own breed.

Eindar · 07-27-2008, 10:46 PM

This needs to be, at worst, a No Contest fight. Rumble didn't deserve to lose, and Burns didn't deserve to win. Also, I agree that he shouldn't be allowed to fight if he can't even throw a normal punch. I was thinking about that when he was talking about it during the announcement.

Really, a disgrace all the way around.

Brolaca · 07-27-2008, 11:50 PM

Yeah you're right, Dana does not have any refs on payroll. What I really meant was that Dana should try working with a few new referees.... As in, not Mazzagatti, and so forth

AikaImmortal · 07-27-2008, 11:54 PM

You are allowed to have a 'visiting official' or two (not sure the exact #s), and then the athletic commission appoints the rest. Some refs are sanctioned in multiple states, others are not.

That's why you tended to see "Big" John so much.

WanderleiSilver · 07-28-2008, 06:33 AM

From: Fightline.com:

"FightLine.com was on hand when Johnson approached Mazzagatti at ringside during last night's event. Mazzagatti and Johnson shook hands and hugged. Mazzagatti apologized to Johnson and noted that it was "a bad call" and Johnson immediately accepted, saying it was all good."

Atleast he's not trying to say he was right.

Mulla · 07-28-2008, 07:03 AM

I gained a lot of respect for AJ from this fight, he was pure class in his post-fight interview.

T-Bone · 07-28-2008, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mulla

I gained a lot of respect for AJ from this fight, he was pure class in his post-fight interview.

There's a lot of that going around. He handled himself professionally.

That said - I wouldn't have lost respect for him had he been all pissed off though.