Michael Bisping and Daniel Cormier were furious after a confusing and controversial sequence marred a heavyweight bout at UFC Vegas 110. What began as an action-packed fight between Waldo Cortes-Acosta and Ante Delija ended in chaos when a referee’s questionable decision completely changed the outcome.

The bout had been competitive, with both heavyweights exchanging heavy shots early. Delija appeared to seize control midway through the second round, landing several clean punches that had Cortes-Acosta reeling. As Delija pressed forward, the referee suddenly stepped in to halt the action, claiming that a possible eye poke had occurred moments earlier.

Replays appeared to show Cortes-Acosta’s fingers brushing across Delija’s eye during an exchange, though the contact was brief and accidental. Rather than ruling the foul intentional or calling for a no-contest, the referee made the unusual choice to restart the fight—something rarely seen once a potential foul and review have been initiated.

Seconds after the restart, Cortes-Acosta connected with a looping counter right hand that dropped Delija cold, sealing a dramatic knockout victory. The win should have been a career highlight, but the controversy surrounding the referee’s decision immediately overshadowed it.

At the commentary desk, both Michael Bisping and Daniel Cormier reacted in disbelief. Bisping exclaimed that he had “never seen anything like it,” calling the restart “one of the strangest situations” in recent UFC memory. Cormier echoed that sentiment, questioning how the referee could justify resuming the action after halting the fight for a potential foul. He pointed out that officials are specifically instructed not to restart a bout under those circumstances, emphasizing that fighter safety and consistency in officiating are supposed to take priority.

Their frustration reflected what many fans were feeling online. Social media lit up immediately with questions about the ruling, with fighters and analysts chiming in to express confusion. Many argued that Delija had been robbed of a fair result and that the referee’s mishandling of the sequence directly influenced the outcome of the fight.

The incident reignited the long-running debate about the use of instant replay and referee discretion in MMA. Eye pokes, accidental or otherwise, have always been a gray area in combat sports. The rules vary slightly by state commission, and interpretation often falls to the referee’s judgment in real time. Critics argue that without uniform standards for when and how to use replay or restart a bout, fighters will continue to be subject to inconsistent rulings that can change careers.

Bisping and Cormier have both been outspoken about poor officiating in the past, but this particular moment hit a nerve. The combination of confusion, inconsistent application of rules, and the fight-altering result left both commentators demanding better training and accountability for referees.

As the dust settles, Waldo Cortes-Acosta’s knockout win will go down on paper as a clean finish, but the circumstances surrounding it are anything but clear. Ante Delija, understandably upset, has already hinted at filing a formal complaint, while the MMA community continues to debate whether the referee’s actions violated the spirit of fair competition.

In the end, what should have been a highlight-reel knockout turned into another lesson in how quickly a single officiating decision can change everything. For Bisping, Cormier, and countless fans watching, UFC Vegas 110 will be remembered not for the power of a punch—but for the moment confusion took center stage.