Stephan Bonnar loses UFC 110 appeal, welcomes rematch with Krzysztof Soszynski

Sakara=Excitement · 03-10-2010, 10:38 AM

Stephan Bonnar loses UFC 110 appeal, welcomes rematch with Krzysztof Soszynski | MMAjunkie.com

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Stephan Bonnar lost an appeal to change the result of his UFC 110 loss to Krzystztof Soszynski.

The Combat Sports Authority of New South Wales, which was tasked with regulating the February event in Sydeny, Australia, ruled this past Tuesday that the official result ruling the fight a TKO win in favor of Soszynski stands.

"A review was held ... and the Combat Sports Authority of NSW did not seek to interfere with the referee's decision," wrote Craig Waller, Executive Director of the Combat Sports Authority of New South Wales, in an email sent to MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com) late Tuesday night.

The light heavyweight bout came to a halt early in the third round when an accidental clash of heads opened a huge cut on Bonnar's forehead. With a little less than four minutes remaining in the fight, the cageside doctor examined the bloody cut and recommended the bout be stopped. The referee subsequently called the fight in Soszynski's favor.

Bonnar (11-7 MMA, 5-6 UFC) immediately protested the decision and said the bout should be ruled a no contest. Shortly afterward, the original "Ultimate Fighter" veteran filed his appeal with the Australian commission and angled for a rematch with Soszynski (19-9-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC).

According to multiple reports, Bonnar will get his wish when the two meet for a second time at The Ultimate Fighter 11 Finale on June 19 in Las Vegas.

Bonnar said he is disappointed by the ruling but is moving on. He did not explicitly confirm the rumored rematch.

"It was obviously a battle between me and [the NSW commission], but as far as the fight, Dana White's a fair guy, and I'm pretty confident we'll have that rematch soon," Bonnar told MMAjunkie.com.

Soszynski was unavailable for comment at the time of his writing.

http://www.cagepotato.com/stephan-bo...gain-australia

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We’re not exactly sure what the Combat Sports Authority of New South Wales actually did between the time Stephan Bonnar submitted his appeal and the time they ruled to deny it. One would assume that at some point their decision-making process would have led them to actually view a tape of the fight at UFC 110, which is when they would have seen the accidental headbutt from Krzysztof Soszynski that led to the fight-ending cut. Only somehow it didn’t happen that way. Somehow, even after “a review was held,” the officials reported that they “did not seek to interfere with the referee's decision.” Which means that loss is as permanent on Bonnar’s record as the k-shaped scar probably is on his forehead.

As anyone who’s seen the tape knows, this is the wrong decision. The cut was clearly caused by a headbutt and not a punch, as the referee initially ruled. The ref can be forgiven for making that mistake. The action’s moving pretty fast in the Octagon, as perhaps you’ve noticed, and he didn’t have days to sit around looking at the video and thinking it over. The Combat Sports Authority did, and they still decided to do nothing. Why? Probably because doing nothing is usually easier than doing anything at all, and it's a hard habit to break for a regulatory body.

But have no fear, Bonnar believes that Dana White, who is “a fair guy,” will give him the rematch soon, possibly at the TUF 11 Finale on June 19. Looks like Bonnar has about three months to perfect the vicious combination that will allow him to exact his revenge by carving “Stephan wuz here” into Soszynski’s face.

No one's saying it's going to be easy, but if action movies have taught us anything it's that somewhere in China there's a monk who knows exactly how to pull this move off. He might even be able to teach Bonnar some important life lessons in the process, while also reinforcing harmful cultural stereotypes. Basically, a really good time will be had by all.

I'm trying to understand why there is even an appeal process? If Rumble's didn't get over turned or this one, then I don't know which fights could be in the future.

KevoOnTheRadio · 03-10-2010, 10:43 AM

I don't think I've ever seen a fight overturned that didn't involve somebody getting popped for pissing dirty.

TBEAR · 03-10-2010, 11:03 AM

Greasegate did not get overturned and it had alot more press than this, I kinda thought this would stick.

How much does Bonner have left before the UFC cuts him you think?

joeyP · 03-10-2010, 11:27 AM

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Originally Posted by TBEAR

Greasegate did not get overturned and it had alot more press than this, I kinda thought this would stick.

How much does Bonner have left before the UFC cuts him you think?

Dana already said he'd never cut Bonnar

TBEAR · 03-10-2010, 11:33 AM

ok Thanks JoeyP

TheKidInside · 03-10-2010, 11:34 AM

OK, the Bones/Hammill fight was one thing but this is a whooooole 'nother. I feel bad for Bonnar but if there's an immediate rematch then we're going to (hopefully) enjoy another great stand up war!

diction10 · 03-10-2010, 11:42 AM

How on earth did Bonnar not win the appeal?

That is ridiculous...

TheKidInside · 03-10-2010, 11:45 AM

i am begining to think that if a fighter brings in a shank, shanks his opponent and the ref doesn't "SEE" it then it doesn't get overturned lol and didn't they JUST implement an instant replay system?!?! I am beyond confused right now.