5 most timely stoppages in UFC history
Whether a stoppage is good or bad is often a topic of debate among UFC fans. Referees like Herb Dean have, in recent times, become less unsure about whether to stop a fight when a fighter appears to be in need of intervention.
Some officials are responsible for the frustrating early stoppages that rob fighters of the opportunity for a comeback.
Other referees, however, are a cause for concern due to allowing fighters to endure unnecessary punishment or extending the time they offer mixed martial artists to recover in the octagon as they're left at the mercy of a disturbing amount of unanswered blows. For every late and early stoppage, however, there is a timely one.
Stoppages are difficult, as referees must make the decision to preserve a fighter's well-being without interfering with a still capable fighter's chances of turning a bout around. This list examines 5 timely stoppages that deserve praise.
#5. Joanna Jędrzejczyk vs. Carla Esparza stoppage (UFC 185)
UFC 185 was headlined by Anthony Pettis and Rafael dos Anjos in a bout that saw the UFC lightweight championship swap owners after a dominant performance by the Brazilian.
While the main event featured no finish, with the verdict being decided by the judges' scorecards, the co-main event was different in that respect. It did, however, match the main event's narrative of the reigning champion being thoroughly dominated by the challenger.
Joanna Jędrzejczyk locked horns with the now two-time strawweight champion, Carla Esparza. The matchup was refereed by Don Turnage in one of the veteran's finest performances.
Five years ago today, Joanna Jedrzejczyk finished Carla Esparza in the second round to become the strawweight champion at UFC 185
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While much is said about Jędrzejczyk's violent win over her opponent, Turnage’s timely stoppage is deserving of praise as well. In the final phase of the bout, Esparza had no chance of turning things around.
Jędrzejczyk had neutralized her wrestling at every turn, forcing 'The Cookie Monster' into a striking affair that she was ill-equipped to win. Sandwiched between the fence and Jędrzejczyk, Esparza was brutalized by an onslaught of unanswered strikes.
Rocked and battered by every blow coming her way, Esparza was done. Referee Don Turnage immediately stepped in, calling an end to the bout. A half-second after Jędrzejczyk turned away to celebrate, Esparza collapsed only to be caught by Turnage. He had stopped the fight right before she would have suffered a more brutal knockout.