The fight started off in a way that pleased the crowd and likely the UFC brass as well, but ended in a way no one can view as the optimal outcome as the opening bout at UFC Fight Night 27 between Abel Trujillo and Roger Bowling ended in a no-contest due to an unintentional if illegal knee.
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The bout was very competitive and hotly contested as both fighters scored early with huge punches, rocking the other in the multiple exchanges. Bowling was even able to mix in takedowns and threaten with guillotine attempts towards the end of the first frame, but the Blackzillian in Trujillo was able to stand almost immediately off of every takedown attempt and avoided all of the submission attempts from the Ohio native.
Towards the end of the second frame, however, things got interesting.
With Bowling’s back to the fence and trying to stand to his feet, Trujillo uncorked two knees in close quarters that eventually sent Bowling crashing to the mat with his blood covered in face. Referee Rob Hinds temporarily stopped the action and called in a doctor as it appeared Bowling was unable to continue after being hit with an illegal knee to the face given his ‘downed’ status.
A replay revealed the first knee largely hit to the body, but suggested the second made contact with Bowling’s head and face. The referee determined the strikes, while illegal, were not intentional. That resulted in a no-contest for both fighters.
The end came officially at 4:57 of the second round.