MMA referee Jorge Alonso has been criticized after appearing to ignore a fighter tapping out three times amid a ground-and-pound barrage at the Titan FC 56 event in Florida.
Alonso was in charge for the featherweight bout between Landon Quinones and Calvin Glover in Fort Lauderdale, which Quinones won in the first round with a series of strikes on his stricken opponent.
But despite the dominant nature of victory for Quinones , the bout will largely be remembered for Alonso’s bizarre refereeing as he seemingly ignored or failed to notice Glover tapping at least three times as he shipped heavy punishment on the deck.
Hey ref… there is a fight going on. #TitanFC56
Props to @jimmysmithmma & @TitanFighting COO @lexmcmahonMMA for being on top of it. pic.twitter.com/pexdnqLl7S
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) August 24, 2019
Fight commentator Jimmy Smith could be heard imploring Alonso to step in, shouting: “He tapped at least three times!”
Social media users also piled in on the official, with some saying he should “never referee again.”
He should never ref again. Like WTF
— Gary Sterr (@sterrzybop) August 24, 2019
THAT REF needs extensive training before working a fight again
— Cristian Zor (@cristian_zor) August 24, 2019
I don't like anybody to lose a source of income, but that ref should not be allowed to officiate another fight. Seconds matter while taking damage. Damage that could affect your career.
— Anthony Marinello (@DjHyblon44) August 25, 2019
Alonso does not lack experience, refereeing since 2003, according to Tapology.com.
Source: RT