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Here’s everything you need to know about the replay rule at UFC Vegas 12

By Thomas Albano

June 6, 2020; Las Vegas, NV, USA; A general view of the octagon prior to UFC 250 at the UFC APEX. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via USA TODAY Sports
June 6, 2020; Las Vegas, NV, USA; A general view of the octagon prior to UFC 250 at the UFC APEX. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via USA TODAY Sports /
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NSAC introduces new replay rules for MMA bouts, starting with UFC Vegas 12

After a pair of replay controversies last month that brought the replay rules used by the Nevada State Athletic Commission under scrutiny last month, new changes have been implemented beginning with today’s UFC Vegas 12 card.

As commentators Brendan Fitzgerald and Michael Bisping mention at the start of the broadcast, instant replay may now be used at any point during a fight, and a fight can be restarted at any point even if replay is utilized.

New NSAC replay rules in effect, beginning with UFC Vegas 12

Similar to boxing, a designated review official will be cageside to alert the in-cage referee as to a situation where replay is needed. The referee, however, still has the sole direction to declare a KO, TKO, etc.

Under the former replay rules — at least the ones stated by the UFC broadcasts — replay could only be used to look at a “fight-ending sequence” and a fight could not be resumed once replay was used. Controversies in back-to-back weeks last month, however, caused confusion and required changes.

Last month, a phantom low-blow call was granted in a fight between Ed Herman and Mike Rodriguez. Replay was not utilized, and instead of a TKO win for Rodriguez, he ended up getting finished by Herman in the next round.

The very next week, a bout between Jessica Rose-Clark and Sarah Alpar was paused when the same referee, Chris Tognoni, though Alpar was hit with an illegal knee. When seeing the knee was legal, the bout was resumed instead of Rose-Clark being given a TKO win. This resulted in Alpar taking more unnecessary damage until the bout was finally stopped.

Additionally, the NSAC’s full, detailed rules had confusing language that stated replay could be used at anytime in spite of the rules stated during UFC broadcasts.

dark. Next. UFC Vegas 12: Uriah Hall vs. Anderson Silva live results and highlights

UFC Vegas 12 takes place on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, live from UFC Apex in Las Vegas, NV. Follow along with FanSided who will be onsite for all your live news and highlights.

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