UFC Baku referee stops fight with controversial technical knockout call

Tahir Abdullayev won his debut bout at UFC Baku on June 27, 2026, amid controversy. The opening welterweight match featured little action until a questionable stoppage by referee Jim Perdios in Round 3. Abdullayev was delivering strikes but had not significantly endangered opponent Jefferson Nascimento. Nascimento protested the decision after the fight, which ended at 4:28 in Round 3. Abdullayev's victory improves his record to 20-3, while Nascimento, previously undefeated at 13-0, faced his first career loss.

• 1:58 PMYahoo Sports — UFC Baku video: Referee calls for bizarre stoppage in opening bout