UFC Atlanta Fight Ends No Contest Amid Faking KO Accusations

At UFC Atlanta, a controversial fight between Paul Craig and Rodolfo Bellato ended in a no contest after Craig landed an illegal upkick, which appeared to knock Bellato unconscious. However, Bellato's immediate reaction of gesturing to the referee before falling down led many fans, fighters, and commentators to accuse him of faking the knockout to secure a disqualification win. Former UFC fighter Anthony Smith criticized Bellato's performance as insincere, suggesting he was pretending to be unconscious, while legendary referee John McCarthy defended the ruling based on the latest MMA rules regarding grounded fighters. Social media erupted with accusations of Bellato 'flopping,' with some calling it the 'biggest flop in MMA history,' and UFC stars like Justin Gaethje and Angela Hill expressing disbelief at Bellato's behavior. Despite the controversy, the referee ruled the foul accidental, and the fight was declared a no contest, leaving Bellato's UFC record at 1-1 with one no contest. The incident sparked debate about sportsmanship and the handling of illegal strikes in MMA, overshadowing the fight itself.