UFC 217 is just around the corner, and with the event taking place next week, the New York State Athletic Commission has made a huge leap forward in MMA.
The oft-criticized athletic commission moved forward with a new policy on instant replay, which was voted on earlier this month according to Newsday.
At UFC 210 in Buffalo in April, a Gegard Mousasi vs. Chris Weidman fight left many with a sour taste in their mouth after referee Dan Miragliotta called a stop to the action due to what he thought were illegal knees. Alternate referee John McCarthy deemed that the knees were legal, and the fight was ruled a TKO win for Mousasi. There were foggy facts on whether or not instant replay was actually legal in the state. The latest vote clears that up.
However, some alterations will be made. Only the in-ring referee can view the replay to determine the correct outcome of a bout in fight-ending scenarios. The referee can look after the fight, before an official announcement of the result has been made. The in-ring referee is able to consult the alternate referee, but ultimately has to make the decision himself. The commission still reserves the right to view the footage when handling appeals.
UFC 217 takes place Saturday, November 4 from Madison Square Garden in New York City. Fightful.com will have full, live coverage of the the event, including a post-show podcast.
