The backstage encounter between Top 10 UFC middleweights Tim Kennedy and Yoel Romero has been released in its entirety by the UFC.
While the situation was summed up in a Vine post by UFC Espanol on September 27 shortly after the two fighters’ UFC 178 matchup ended, UFC.com has now released a 32-second clip detailing the situation.
Romero heads backstage after the controversial victory, which saw him get a ton of extra time in his corner between the second and third rounds after Kennedy rocked him with punches late in the second frame.
The Soldier of God, who was granted an extra half-minute or so of recovery time, rallied back to TKO Kennedy in the third frame.
Given the circumstances, it’s not surprising Kennedy wasn’t in the mood to talk the situation out with Romero.
“I want to talk to him,” Romero tells one of his coaches. “Tim?”
“What the f–k,” Kennedy responded. “If you can’t get off the stool, if you can’t get off the stool, that’s the end of the fight.”
Kennedy voices his displeasure for a few more seconds, but he is very difficult to understand due to the background noise.
MGM Grand Garden Arena security then make sure Romeo continues on his way before the fists start flying.
While Nevada State Athletic Commission executive director Bob Bennett has already stated an appeal of the loss is almost pointless (h/t Shaun Al-Shatti of MMA Fighting), Kennedy’s co-manager has stated the team will pursue an appeal anyway, per Steven Marrocco of MMA Junkie.
Meanwhile, Romero’s coach insists that no foul play took place at UFC 178 and that a rematch with Kennedy would end the same way the first bout did, per Guilherme Cruz of MMA Fighting.
Is Kennedy vs. Romero II the only fight that makes sense for the two 185-pounders right now, or should each competitor just move on and go his separate way?
John Heinis is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. He is also the MMA editor for eDraft.com.
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