UFC referee Blake Grice likely did not anticipate receiving an elbow to the head during his assignments at UFC 330. Yet, that is what occurred during the middleweight fight between unbeaten Donte Johnson and veteran Eric McConico.
The match concluded rapidly, with Johnson defeating McConico in just 1 minute and 38 seconds using a straight left punch that landed directly on McConico’s chin. As McConico hit the canvas, Johnson pursued with a follow-up strike. Grice intervened to shield McConico from additional damage, and in doing so, he inadvertently placed his head in the path of Johnson’s left elbow as Johnson pulled back to deliver another hit to his fallen opponent.
Footage spread across social media showing a slightly disoriented Grice walking about the Octagon, attempting to clear his head. During the post-fight media session, Johnson expressed his apologies to Grice for the unintended strike during the match.
“I’m 2-0 on the night — who else wants some?” Johnson joked. “I’m just kidding. I’m sorry Mr. ref. I’ll buy you a cheesesteak or something, but I didn’t mean to do that.”
Grice did not seem to sustain any severe injuries, which possibly made the jokes directed at him on social media easier to handle.
Comments from fans included:
- “Donte Johnson should get 2 KO UFC performance bonuses. One for McConico and the other for that back elbow on referee Blake Grice,” noted a fan.
- “Respect to the ref, got an iron chin. Let’s see the kid in fighting shorts next time,” replied another fan.
- “Bro got 2 knockouts in one night is that a 200k bonus,” quipped a third fan.
- “Protect yourself at all times, Ref,” another user replied.
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