UFC referee Jason Herzog responds to backlash about Valentina Shevchenko vs. Alexa Grasso

UFC referee Jason Herzog has responded to fans who criticized his officiating during Valentina Shevchenko and Alexa Grasso's women's flyweight title bout at UFC 285.

During the third round, 'Bullet' landed an impressive takedown halfway through. However, after some work on the mat, Jason Herzog stood both women up for inactivity with a minute remaining.

Herzog's decision was audibly booed by the crowd and Joe Rogan was highly critical of the call whilst on commentary. He noted that Valentina Shevchenko was still throwing punches at Alexa Grasso whilst in the dominant position.

Watch the moment here (4:30):

Taking to Twitter following UFC 285, Herzog responded to a fan who asked why he made the decision to stand Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko up. The fan wrote:

"Bro, you're my favourite ref by far. But why did you make Valentina and Alexa stand up? Valentina was actively landing shots"

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@ghfjhhhhj

@JasonHerzogMMA Bro, you’re my favorite ref by far. But why did you make Valentina and Alexa stand up? Valentina was actively landing shots

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2

@JasonHerzogMMA Bro, you’re my favorite ref by far. But why did you make Valentina and Alexa stand up? Valentina was actively landing shots

In response, Herzog wrote:

"I know what I thought in the moment. But I've gotten enough feedback that tells me I need to rematch it and re evaluate. So that's what I'll do."

Jason Herzog

@JasonHerzogMMA

I know what I thought in the moment. But I've gotten enough feedback that tells me I need to rematch it and re evaluate. So that's what I'll do. twitter.com/ghfjhhhhj/stat…

hhhhh

@ghfjhhhhj

@JasonHerzogMMA Bro, you’re my favorite ref by far. But why did you make Valentina and Alexa stand up? Valentina was actively landing shots

998

20

@JasonHerzogMMA Bro, you’re my favorite ref by far. But why did you make Valentina and Alexa stand up? Valentina was actively landing shots

I know what I thought in the moment. But I've gotten enough feedback that tells me I need to rematch it and re evaluate. So that's what I'll do. twitter.com/ghfjhhhhj/stat…

Herzog's decision wouldn't remain the biggest talking point of the night as Alexa Grasso stunned the world in the very next round. As Shevchenko attempted a spinning manouever, Grasso leapt onto the back of 'Bullet' in a swift move that saw her lock-in a face crank submission for the victory.

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Daniel Cormier highlights what Alexa Grasso must improve to maintain her women's flyweight title reign

Alexa Grasso caused a major upset this weekend by submitting Valentina Shevchenko in the fourth round to win her maiden women's flyweight title.

ClippyMcClipFace.

@UnitedAnother

Grasso submits Shevchenko. #AndNew #UFC285

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Grasso submits Shevchenko. 👏👏 #AndNew #UFC285 https://t.co/GTrzdmOLXP

The loss was Shevchenko's first in the flyweight division and the first time she's been submitted in her MMA career.

Following UFC 285, Daniel Cormier uploaded a video to his YouTube with his reactions to the card. In regards to the co-main event, 'DC' highlighted Grasso's takedown defense as a key area to improve on in the future as she was taken down multiple times by Shevchenko.

The UFC Hall of Famer did, however, praise the Mexican for being able to continue fighting even whilst taken down and the ability to get back on her feet. He said:

"She struggled in the takedown defense and if she's gonna extend this title reign, she will have to shore that up. But she was taken down multiple times, but continued to fight. Every time she got to her feet, she did a great job of landing on Shevchenko to the point that Valentina started to make mistakes."

Catch the video below:

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