Marina Rodriguez wasn’t happy with referee Jason Herzog after she suffered a knockout loss to Amanda Lemos in the UFC Vegas 64 main event.
In a statement made on social media following the fight, Rodriguez complained that the fight was stopped early after she ate a number of punches from Lemos, which prompted the referee to wave off the fight in the third round.
” You stopped too early!” Rodriguez posted on Twitter. “As a professional, I’m there to face a lot more, that’s what I’m in this game! It’s part of the game, win, lose, in different situations!
“We continue in our way! We are grateful for your support !”
You stopped too soon!
As an experienced professional, you’re there to face more. That’s why I am in this game!
It’s part of the game, win, lose, in different situations!
We continue in our way!
Thank you all for the support and cheerleading! #ufcvegas64 pic.twitter.com/ISkU4s66bp— Marina Rodriguez (@wmmarz) November 6, 2022
The fight came to an abrupt halt when Lemos unleashed all-power punches in pursuit of Rodriguez’s knockout. The momentum shifted dramatically when she blasted Rodriguez with a huge right hook that put her fellow Brazilian on wobbly legs.
Lemos exploded forward with a jumping knee that missed, but Rodriguez was clearly dazed, and she put her hands up defensively while moving backward towards the cage. Lemos unleashed a torrent of punches and some missed but others hit. There was no real reaction from Rodriguez as she continued to absorb punishment.
With little indication that Rodriguez would respond, and Lemos throwing strikes on the other side, Herzog intervened between them to stop the violence. Rodriguez immediately protested, but replays seemed to back Herzog’s decision.
Either way, Rodriguez didn’t agree with the decision, and now she’ll leave UFC Vegas 64 with a loss on her record, which stops a four-fight winning streak. She is also out of title contention as many thought a win on Saturday would make her No. 1 contender in the strawweight division.
