On Wednesday, June 29, the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission announced that it would be overturning the result of last Sunday’s UFC on Versus 4 bout between Charles Oliveira vs. Nik Lentz from a submission loss to Lentz to a “No Contest.”
Executive Director Greg Sirb provided MMAWeekly.com with a statement from the Commission which read, “After review of the tape of this contest and after consultation with the referee the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission has ruled that the results of this match will be changed to a no contest. This change is a direct result from an accidental kick to the head by Mr. Oliveira to a grounded Mr. Lentz.”
Both men met on the preliminary card of UFC on Versus 4 on Sunday, June 26, at the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
After an exciting first round, both men would continue the pace in the second. At one point in the second, as both men looked to stand up from the mat, Oliveira landed a knee strike to Lentz head while his opponent still had one knee on the ground. The illegal blow was totally missed by referee Chip Snider who let the contest continue.
Fans immediately began booing the missed call, but the damage was done. Oliveira was able to take advantage of his dazed opponent to gain his back and sink in a rear-naked choke to end the fight at 1:48 of the second.
When commentator Joe Rogan performed the customary talk with the winner, Oliveira, he noted that someone with the commission told him that they would be reviewing the fight and possibly overturning the result.
Oliveira stated afterward that he didn’t know it was an illegal strike but still felt he should be given the win.
Meanwhile, Lentz had to stay overnight in a Pittsburgh hospital for damage to his eye, noting that he might have to have surgery in a Twitter (@NikLentz) post.
Some consolidation for both fighters might be earning the $50,000 in “Fight of the Night” bonus money each was awarded by UFC President Dana White.