Luke Riley scores controversial knockout at UFC 329 in Las Vegas

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 11: Luke Riley reacts to his win in a bantamweight fight during the UFC 329 event at T-Mobile Arena on July 11, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC) Luke Riley is leaving UFC 329 with a knockout victory on his record, but his fellow fighters aren’t in agreement with the stoppage call. Referee Kerry Hatley stepped in for the save to close out Riley’s featherweight fight against Kai Kamaka III on Saturday’s preliminary card, stopping the fight 3:03 into Round 1 with Riley battering a retreating Kamaka. Though Kamaka was visibly dazed, he appeared to be trying to clinch Riley when the bout was waved off, which drew a number of negative reactions from pros on social media. Fellow featherweight Billy Quarantillo said, plainly, “That stoppage sucked.” UFC fighters Josh Hokit, Jamahal Hill, and Matt Frevola also wondered why Hatley didn’t give Kamaka more time to recover. It was a big win for Riley, who improved to 14-0 as a pro and 3-0 in the UFC with the win, while Kamaka will be left disappointed as he falls to 1-1 in his second stint with the promotion. Check out how pros reacted to the disappointing finish below. That stoppage sucked — Billy Quarantillo (@BillyQMMA) July 11, 2026 I absolutely cant stand an early stoppage.. a standing stoppage😂 cmon.. is this boxing? Smh — The Incredible Hok (@Josh_HokitUFC) July 11, 2026 Another weak stoppage! — Jamahal Hill (@JamahalH) July 11, 2026 Let him go out on his shield 🛡️ ⚔️ 😩 — Matt “The Steamrolla”Frevola (@SteamRollaa) July 11, 2026 Que interrupção bosta — Mairon "The Legend" Santos (@Maironsantoss) July 11, 2026 Riley is a beast now I know — Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) July 11, 2026 Great win for Riley #UFC329 — Jillian DeCoursey (@lionheartjill) July 11, 2026

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Fighters didn’t love referee’s call at UFC 329