Craig-Bellato UFC Fight Ends in Controversial No Contest

The UFC Atlanta preliminary light heavyweight fight between Paul Craig and Rodolfo Bellato ended in a no contest after Craig landed an illegal upkick at the end of round one, leading referee Kevin MacDonald to rule the foul accidental. Both fighters insisted that Bellato's injury was legitimate, with Bellato stating he lost control of his senses and Craig defending his opponent’s integrity. The outcome drew comparisons to the controversial Petr Yan-Aljamain Sterling fight, highlighting the stigma such incidents can create in MMA. The referee’s decision to not disqualify Craig sparked further debate given similar recent officiating controversies. The bout was previously postponed from UFC Vegas 106 due to Bellato’s last-minute herpes diagnosis. Both athletes remain without a win or loss, while MacDonald faces scrutiny over his officiating.