[Cat--Smasher]

Controversy Follows Jay Hieron, but He’s Moving On; ‘I Thought the Guy was Out’

It seems that no matter where he goes or who he fights, controversy surrounds Jay Hieron.

In his most recent bout this past Friday at Legacy FC 12, Hieron had seemingly defeated Romario Manoel de Silva two minutes into the second round of their bout, but as he points out, once again, things don’t appear so cut and dry.

“It was a little controversial at the end, but I’m always in controversial fights, and my life is controversial, so it’s nothing new,” said Hieron. “Obviously I felt I had the choke sunk in deep. I thought the guy was out. He wasn’t moving and the ref was asking him if he was okay and he never responded.

“The ref was asking him if he was okay, and he wasn’t responding. The ref was trying to grab him, and he wasn’t doing anything. Nine times out of 10, I have that choke sunk in; I’ve choked people out with it in training. If I had to do it over again, I would have done the same thing, because he was done.”

Controversy aside, for Hieron, just to be able to get back in the cage after 10 months following a split from Bellator was a welcome happening and a testament to his drive to continue to compete.

“I’m happy I’ve kept my head in the game,” he said. “I’ve been through ups and downs, and somehow I wake up every day and push myself to get into the gym. It’s because I have a real love for this sport. That drive and motivation can be real hard to keep if you don’t have fights coming up and when you keep getting the short end of the stick.

“Somehow I stay motivated, positive and keep moving forward. I want to make a good run for it these last few years I have left now.”

Controversy Follows Jay Hieron, but He's Moving On; 'I Thought the Guy was Out' | MMAWeekly.com