UFC
UFC NEWS: Maiquel Falcao robbed of victory over Gerald Harris earlier at UFC 123 due to premature stop to round one
Nov 22, 2010 - 10:02:44 PM UFC NEWS: Maiquel Falcao robbed of victory over Gerald Harris earlier at UFC 123 due to premature stop to round one

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

UFC newcomer Maiquel Falcao was heavily criticized by both UFC President Dana White and fans and writers everywhere due to a highly inactive third round against Gerald Harris at UFC 123.

But the fight never should have gotten to that point.

It's being brought to the attention of those same fans, writers and fighters everywhere that the first round of the fight ended prematurely, and cost Falcao what would have been a clear victory.

For some reason, the first round of the fight was stopped six or seven seconds early. Falcao had locked on a rear naked choke with time running out in the fight, and the clap came down for the ten second warning, but the horn sounded early as Falcao had the choke locked on.

Harris appeared prepared to tap, and complained when Falcao didn't let go of the choke at the horn. But with the horn sounding early, the fight was allowed to drag on, and the terribly tentative third round of the fight put a gigantic damper on what could have been a very impressive debut.

There's no clear reason as to why or how that went down, but someone royally screwed up and cost Falcao a more decisive victory in his UFC debut.

Penick's Analysis: I'm really surprised that this actually happened and that most of us haven't realized it until days later. We usually trust the timekeepers at cageside to be doing their jobs correctly, and Harris was saved from getting choked unconscious by an early horn. It's not a good situation for anyone involved, especially Falcao, but I don't know if anything more will come from it.