UFC: 'Disgusting' neglect slammed at UFC Fight Night in Brazil

Valentina Shevchenko of Kyrgyzstan (top) punches Priscila Cachoeira of Brazil. Photo / Getty Images

Several brutal finishes punctuated Sunday's card at a UFC Fight Night in Belem, Brazil, as shocked fans unleashed hell after a violent bloodbath.

Thiago Santos sent Anthony Smith crumpling to the canvas with a perfectly-timed liver kick and Iuri Alcantra dominated Joe Soto on the undercard but Valentina Shevchenko's win over Priscila Cachoeira in the co-main event provided the biggest talking point.

Shevchenko came out swinging in the first and secured top position on the ground, landing a vicious elbow that split Cachoeira above her eye. Blood spurted everywhere as claret turned parts of the Octagon floor into a sickly shade of red.

Midway through the second round Shevchenko had landed 129 total strikes to one. The frightening demolition job only got worse as the local hero was powerless to prevent herself from copping the beating of a lifetime.

When Shevchenko submitted Cachoeira late in the second round via a rear naked choke, she'd recorded 230 strikes to the Brazilian's three.

"Flyweight division, say hello to your worst nightmare," one commentator said as the "Bullet" raised her arms in triumph.

But before celebrating too heartily she bent down to check on her bloodied opponent who showed no signs of getting up.

Fans, fighters and members of the UFC media were at a loss to explain why referee Mario Yamasaki did nothing to stop the bloodbath when it was clear Cachoeira was unable to protect herself.

UFC president Dana White slammed the refereeing, venting his anger in an Instagram post after the fight.

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Yahoo Sports UFC writer Kevin Iole was another to blast the referee's "sickening" failure.

Some commentators even branded the officiating of the fight "criminal".

Mario Yamasaki let the fight go on way too long. Referees are supposed to be the most important figures in our sport.

They're the ones that are responsible for fighter safety. That was criminal.

— MMA History Today (@MMAHistoryToday) February 4, 2018

Great performance by Valentina but the same can’t be said for the referee. Unreal. Horrendous.

— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) February 4, 2018

I can not immediately recall a more blatant failure by a referee to stop a fight in which the fighter was defenseless and being pummeled. That was sickening, disgusting and a dereliction of duty.

— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) February 4, 2018

F🤬🤬🤬 Mario Yamasaki STOPTHE FIGHT 🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️ #UFCBelem

— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) February 4, 2018

That was disgusting officiating by Mario Yamasaki there. Jesus Christ. #UFCBelem

— Jack Crosby (@JCrosbyCBS) February 4, 2018

What is Yamasaki doing?
What are Cachoeira’s corner doing?
This is just awful to watch.#UFCBelem

— Simon Head (@simonheadsport) February 4, 2018

As expected, @BulletValentina absolutely dominated tonight. But honestly, it's hard to say anything about that fight other than it should be the last one Yamasaki refs. #UFCBelem

— Karyn Bryant (@KarynBryant) February 4, 2018

While the refereeing was questionable, there was no doubting Shevchenko's effectiveness in the Octagon. After suffering a controversial split decision loss to Amanda Nunes at UFC 215 in September, she returned to action with a point to prove.

Good lord @BulletValentina is a terrifying, ferocious woman. Very impressed with her performance tonight. She was relentless.

— Joe Rogan (@joerogan) February 4, 2018

Valentina Shevchenko made that look scarily easy. She cuts through UFC newcomer Priscila Cachoeira like a buzzsaw. Looks like a damn horror movie in there. Blood everywhere. #UFCBelem

— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) February 4, 2018

I haven’t seen total annihilation like this in a really long time.

Shevchenko is a beast. #UFCBelem

— Julie S. Lalonde (@JulieSLalonde) February 4, 2018

Earlier, Santos opened up the main card with an emphatic win over Smith. He had the higher work rate and landed blow after blow on the American, who did well to stay in the contest for as long as he did.

They both let their hands go at the end of the first but Santos landed first and dropped Smith, opening up a gash.

Early in the second the Brazilian landed a solid kidney kick that rocked Smith and he unleashed with a barrage of strikes, forcing the referee to stop the fight.

Alcantra took just over a minute to dismantle Soto, pummelling him up against the cage to secure his rapid win.

MAIN CARD

Lyoto Machida defeated Eryk Anders via split decision (48-47, 47-48, 49-46)

Valentina Shevchenko defeated Priscila Cachoeira via submission (R2, 4:25)

Michel Prazeres defeated Desmond Green via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)

Tim Johnson defeated Marcelo Golm via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)

Douglas Silva de Andrade defeated Marlon Vera via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

Thiago Santos defeated Anthony Smith via second-round TKO (1:03)

UNDERCARD

Sergio Moraes defeated Tim Means via split decision (28-29, 29-28 x 2)

Alan Patrick defeated Damir Hadzovic via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-27 x 2)

Polyana Viana defeated Maia Stevenson via submission (R1, 3:50)

Iuri Alcantra defeated Joe Soto via first-round KO (1:06)

Deiveson Figueiredo defeated Joseph Morales via second-round TKO (4:34)