The UFC on ESPN 40 opener ended in bizarre fashion Saturday after referee Chris Tognoni polled the three judges cage-side whether one fighter tapped.
Mayra Bueno Silva and Stephanie Egger kicked off the prelims in a flyweight bout. The fight quickly hit the canvas with Egger on top. Bueno Silva shot up for an armbar and released, a signal Egger tapped perhaps out of view of the camera and referee Chris Tognoni.
There was some confusion as Tognoni called off the bout and immediately signaled for a replay, as he circled his fingers in the air. After a brief conference with fellow referee cage-side, Tognoni declared he would poll the judges to see if Egger actually tapped.
One judge told Tognoni he absolutely saw a tap by Egger, who was twisted facedown near the cage with one hand out of sight of seemingly everyone – except said judge.
With that information, another judge concurred the tap occurred and the bout was called a submission. Bueno Silva was the victor. The win registered at 1:17 of Round 1.
An interesting finish to the first fight of the night – we are off to video review! #UFCVegas59 pic.twitter.com/f1TZqjxLqI
— UFC (@ufc) August 7, 2022
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 40.
