Those watching the UFC 115 preliminary show on Spike TV were not exposed to the cleanest of UFC officiating, as the Matt Wiman-Mac Danzig fight ended with a questionable call from referee Yves Lavigne.
The fight, a bout between two “Ultimate Fighter” alumni, kicked off the televised portion of the UFC 115: Liddell vs. Franklin event. Early in the first round, Matt Wiman reversed Mac Danzig’s dominant ground position into a guillotine choke, rolling the season six winner over with the hold.
With Danzig showing no signs of getting out, the referee tested Danzig’s arm and based on seeing no reflex, decided to stop the fight. As soon as the fight ended, however, Danzig was shown protesting the decision, a clear sign that he was not out. He later said that he was trying not to make any sudden movements to relax in the position and prevent giving Wiman the chance to transition to a more dangerous hold.
In addition to the quick protest and having shown some minor activity in his opposite hand (although, in fairness, it could have been a last ditch reflex prior to going to sleep), Danzig also had evidence in the fact that an entire side of his neck was not trapped in the choke. Both fighters expressed willingness to continue the fight, but as the referee had made his stoppage, the fight simply could not continue.
Matt Wiman b. Mac Danzig via submission (guillotine) at 1:45 of Round ONe