We can all safely assume that when the DVD of UFC 149 is released, no one will be rushing to put it in a time capsule. The event -- particularly the pay-per-view main card -- was not exactly mixed martial arts at its best. UFC president Dana White bluntly admitted that in the hours after the event, when he said he was "embarrassed" at breaking the arena gate record in a sub-par outing.
But it wasn't just the shirtless men fighting in the cage that contributed to the letdown. It was also the third men, the referees, who in White's opinion, failed to do their job in key instances. Those bad calls incorrectly allowed the night's action to stall at several key moments of the night, angering White for what he sees as a trend that is not diminishing.
There were two key incidences White pointed to in the night, both during the main card. The first took place during the pay-per-view opener, when Matt Riddle landed a liver kick against Chris Clements in the first round of their fight. Thinking it was a low blow, ref Josh Rosenthal briefly stepped in to stop the action before allowing it to resume, a pause which may have cost Riddle a chance to finish the fight early.
"It's a kick to the body, and Rosenthal jumps in the middle because he thought it was a kick to the groin," White said. "Come on man, you're standing right there. Open your eyes. Pay attention, this is what you're getting paid to do. You choose to do this. If you don't want to do it 100 percent, don't do it. Go do something else. The fight could've been ended right there. That's a situation where he doesn't see it, he stops the action, gets half-assed in there instead of making a clear, decisive decision. And what if Riddle lost the fight after that, at a point where he could have won the fight because he had him hurt to the body with a beautiful kick? Which those are hard to land. You don't see those landed all the time where you hurt a guy. And he jumps in the middle."
Riddle did go on to win by third-round submission in what turned out to be the main card's most exciting fight.
That fight was saved despite the gaffe, but the same can't be said for the heavyweight bout between Cheick Kongo and Shawn Jordan, a match that received most of White's focus both for the way it was fought and officiated. The bout quick devolved into a clinch-fest with little in the way of action. White felt that veteran ref Yves Lavigne should have broken the two up numerous times for inactivity and restarted the fight in the center of the cage. Instead, he elected to let them fight for position against the cage for long stretches.
"Lavigne? I'm so pissed at Lavigne," he said. "He just stands there like a dope and watches these guys clinch on the fence, not advancing their position, not doing damage. Just standing there for two rounds – and then you let them do it for an entire five minutes in a three-round fight. And again, I blame all three involved in that. The two fighters and the ref. But the ref's job is to protect the fighters, make the right calls, and make sure they fight."
While discussing the night's issues, White also questioned whether Ryan Jimmo might have been robbed of the all-time fastest UFC knockout. Jimmo KO'd Anthony Perosh in their prelim in a result that was officially recorded at seven seconds. Again, it was Rosenthal at the helm, and White wondered if he'd stepped in between the fighters fast enough, though the replay showed Rosenthal stopped the fight in less than one second, with Jimmo only having time to land one more strike.
Even the judges weren't spared from White's wrath. While answering a question about the UFC's role in selecting officials in locations with athletic commissions -- none, he said -- he made allusion to the Nick Ring vs. Court McGee fight which saw Calgary local Ring win by decision. While the victory was a popular one inside Scotiabank Saddledome, White was one of many observers who felt McGee was the rightful winner of a fairly close fight.
"If I was picking the refs and a decision tonight like Nick Ring happened, you'd think that it was because of me," he said. "You'd think that I did that because Nick Ring was a superhero and just saved a couple of people from getting beat up and I wanted him to win in Canada because it would be good for our promotion. Which isn't at all what I want. I want the guys who deserve to win, to win. That's what I want. And it drives me insane when that doesn't happen."
Mostly, the entirety of the evening was enough to make him wonder why there didn't seem to be any consequences for mistakes made by MMA officials.
"Any job you have and you don't do your job, you get reprimanded, or you get suspended," he said. "You're suspended for three fights, or you have some kind of a class where you have to watch the fights and see what you did wrong. If there's no accountability? Who cares?"
UFC 149 Photos
Renan Barao nearly lands a head kick on Urijah Faber during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Urijah Faber walks to the cage during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Urijah Faber and Renan Barao fight at close range during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Renan Barao lands a hard right on Urijah Faber during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Urijah Faber lands a front kick on Renan Barao during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Renan Barao lands a head kick on Urijah Faber during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Renan Barao fires a jab at Urijah Faber during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Renan Barao lands a right straight on Urijah Faber during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Renan Barao cracks Urijah Faber with a left hook during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Renan Barao celebrates his victory during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Renan Barao screams after his victory over Urijah Faber during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Hector Lombard lands a right hand during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Tim Boetsch walks to the cage during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Hector Lombard walks to the cage during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Tim Boetsch lands a front kick on Hector Lombard during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Hector Lombard lifts Tim Boetsch for a double leg takedown during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Hector Lombard finishes the takedown on Tim Boetsch during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Tim Boetsch celebrates his victory over Hector Lombard during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Cheick Kongo and Shawn Jordan clinch during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Cheick Kongo enters the cage during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Shawn Jordan between rounds during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Cheick Kongo tries to fire a knee on Shawn Jordan during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Shawn Jordan and Cheick Kongo taking a breather during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Cheick Kongo is declared the winner over Shawn Jordan during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Chris Clements fires a spinning back kick at Matt Riddle during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Brian Ebersole fires a middle kick to the ribs of James Head during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Brian Ebersole prepares to fight during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Brian Ebersole gives the thumbs up on a guillotine attempt from James Head during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
James Head lands a knee in the clinch on Brian Ebersole during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
James Head celebrates his victory during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Chris Clements lands a right hand during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Chris Clements between rounds during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
UFC Octagon girl Brittney Palmer during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Matt Riddle nearly lands a head kick during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Matt Riddle finishes Chris Clements with a head and arm triangle during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Ryan Jimmo knocks out Anthony Perosh in seven seconds during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Roland Delorme punches Francisco Rivera during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Roland Delorme and Francisco Rivera battle during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Francisco Rivera drills Roland Delorme during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Francisco Rivera finishes Roland Delorme during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Francisco Rivera is halted from throwing any more punches during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Roland Delorme is knocked out in the first round during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Francisco Rivera celebrates his win during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Ryan Jimmo celebrates his win during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Ryan Jimmo celebrates his win during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Bryan Caraway makes his way to the Octagon during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Rachelle Leah is back during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Mitch Gagnon kicks Bryan Caraway in the chest during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Bryan Caraway punches Mitch Gagnon during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Logan Stanton is back during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Mitch Gagnon punches Bryan Caraway during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Mitch Gagnon punches Bryan Caraway during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Bryan Caraway tries to submit Mitch Gagnon during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Bryan Caraway celebrates his rear-naked choke win during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Bryan Caraway celebrates his win during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Antonio Carvalho gets ready for his fight during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Daniel Pineda gets ready for his fight during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Antonio Carvalho hits Daniel Pineda in the face during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Antonio Carvalho looks to finish Daniel Pineda during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Antonio Carvalho looks to finish Daniel Pineda during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Antonio Carvalho, right, celebrates his knockout win during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Antonio Carvalho celebrates his win during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Mitch clarke grabs Anton Kuivanen's leg during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Mitch clarke and Anton Kuivanen battle on the ground during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Anton Kuivanen knees Mitch Clarke in the stomach during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Anton Kuivanen punches Mitch Clarke during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Mitch clarke and Anton Kuivanen exchange punches during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Anton Kuivanen, right, celebrates his split-decision win during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
UFC 149 Photos
Octagon girls Brittney Palmer, Logan Stanton and Rachelle Leah pose for photos during UFC 149 at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 21, 2012, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.