UFC Tampa Shock: Chael Sonnen's Bold Confession on Stopping Covington's Fight!

In a surprising turn of events at UFC on ESPN 63 held at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, Chael Sonnen opened up about his thoughts on stopping Colby Covington’s fight against Joaquin Buckley. The bout abruptly ended due to a significant injury Covington sustained early in the match, specifically a laceration to his right eyelid, which ultimately led to a doctor’s stoppage at the conclusion of Round 3.

Sonnen, who was in Covington’s corner, revealed that he was dangerously close to throwing in the towel himself after witnessing how badly Covington was cut. “Colby was getting hit with everything, and it was obvious he was in trouble. The blood was pouring from his eye,” Sonnen shared during a candid discussion on his YouTube channel.

He explained the tense progression of events, noting, “The doctor checked him three times. Twice he allowed the fight to continue, but on the third inspection, he concluded that it was unsustainable.” It was evident to Sonnen that if the blood continued to flow into Covington's eye, the fighter’s vision could be seriously compromised.

“I was prepared to stop that fight. I had already grabbed the towel," Sonnen expressed. “The moment I saw blood invading the eye and knowing how critical that is, I knew I had to act. For us as fight fans or competitors, it’s not just about the cut; if it affects the fighter’s ability to see, then the fight should be stopped.”

Despite Sonnen's preemptive instincts, Covington and UFC CEO Dana White showed their disagreement with the doctor’s decision. White chimed in, arguing that if the fight had occurred in Las Vegas instead of Tampa, it might have gone on longer, suggesting a regional disparity in fight stoppages.

This controversial episode has since sparked discussions across the MMA community, raising questions about fighter safety, the role of corner personnel, and how the medical staff assesses injuries during crucial fights. Will this event lead to a shift in how such situations are handled in the future? Only time will tell as fans and fighters alike await the next thrilling chapter in mixed martial arts!