UFC Atlanta Fight Ends No-Contest Amid Faked Knockout Allegations

At UFC Atlanta, a light heavyweight bout between Rodolfo Bellato and Paul Craig ended controversially due to an illegal upkick by Craig, which led to a no-contest ruling after Bellato collapsed and appeared unconscious. Bellato faced widespread accusations from fans and UFC fighters, including Justin Gaethje, who claimed he faked the knockout to secure a disqualification win. Bellato strongly denied these allegations, explaining on Instagram that the kick caused immediate disorientation, tingling, and vision loss, leaving him with no memory of the aftermath, and emphasized he would never fake such an incident. Paul Craig accepted responsibility for the illegal strike and urged fans to stop attacking Bellato's integrity, praising him and expressing hope for a rematch. The UFC community remains divided, but both fighters have maintained respect for each other amid the controversy. The incident has sparked broader discussions about the challenges referees face in distinguishing genuine injuries from potential gamesmanship in the sport.