Michael Bisping Calls for Stricter Eye Poke Penalties in UFC
On a recent Saturday, the UFC Seattle main event between the highly anticipated fighters Song Yadong and Henry Cejudo was marred by controversy and confusion due to an accidental eye poke. This incident, which occurred near the end of the third round, led to Cejudo being unable to continue the fight, as he could not see clearly heading into the fourth round. Referee Jason Herzog ruled the fight over, and the judges awarded Song the victory via technical decision. However, Michael Bisping, who was on cageside commentary, is vehemently advocating for stricter penalties and immediate consequences for eye pokes in the UFC.
Bisping’s Immediate Reaction
Michael Bisping, a former UFC middleweight champion and a respected voice in the MMA community, was stunned by the outcome and the lack of penalty imposed on Song for the eye poke. In his YouTube channel, Bisping expressed his frustration, stating, "No. 1, I think we should have had a point deducted." He emphasized that this stance is not about wanting to see Song’s career suffer. Bisping, who is known for his friendships and respect within the MMA world—including his good relationship with Urijah Faber and the entire team—understands the gravity of the situation. "But the eye pokes, people need to know that there are goddamn consequences. Eye pokes are terrible. You know all about my history with the eyes. Eye pokes are bad." Bisping’s history with eye injuries is well-documented, adding a personal layer to his advocacy for stricter rules.
The Impact of the Point Deduction
The point deduction Bisping suggests would have significantly altered the outcome of the fight. Song won via scores of 30-27 and two 29-28s. With a point deduction, those 29-28 scores would have been reduced to 28-28, resulting in a majority draw. This change would have been a fairer reflection of the actual performance and would have accounted for the accidental foul that prematurely ended the contest. Bisping’s point is clear: if fighters know they will face immediate and significant penalties for eye pokes, they will be more cautious and less likely to stretch their fingers out, which often leads to such injuries.
The Repercussions of the Current System
The current system, where eye pokes often go unpunished or are only addressed with a brief pause and a warning, is not sufficient to deter this dangerous behavior. Bisping believes that stricter penalties are necessary to ensure the safety and integrity of the sport. He argues, "Something needs to be done. Stricter penalties need to be in place. There needs to be immediate consequences for people poking fighters in the eye. It’s as simple as that." The lack of immediate action can lead to fighters being unfairly disadvantaged, as was the case with Cejudo, who had to retire from the fight despite showing competitive performance up to the point of the injury.
The Possibility of a Rematch
At the UFC Seattle post-fight press conference, UFC CEO Dana White was asked if there was any interest in an immediate rematch between Song and Cejudo. White’s response was straightforward: "Not at all." While Bisping acknowledges that a rematch could make sense, he is uncertain if this is the best path for Cejudo, who is 38 years old and has recently returned from retirement. Bisping said, "Song Yadong was declared the victor because they went to the scorecards and he should have won that, two rounds to one, maybe. Maybe even all three rounds, he was fast, he was quick, he stopped all the takedowns, and the boxing was beautiful. It’s a shame that it ended like that."
The Future of Cejudo and MMA’s Rulebook
Both Song and Cejudo have expressed interest in a rematch via social media, and while the idea is compelling, it raises questions about Cejudo’s career trajectory. Bisping pondered, "They say they’re going to run it back. Henry said he wants to run it back, Song said he’ll do that, it was his idea. But will Henry Cejudo do that at 38 years old? I really don’t know." Beyond the immediate controversy, Bisping’s comments highlight a broader issue in the UFC: the need for comprehensive rule changes to protect fighters from unnecessary harm. As the sport continues to evolve, the health and safety of its athletes should remain a top priority, and stricter penalties for eye pokes could be a crucial step in that direction.
