Delia protests Cortes-Acosta loss, claims fight resumed illegally.
Yo, fight fans, let's break down the absolute chaos that went down at UFC Fight Night 263, because Ante Delija is not having it and honestly, after hearing his side, I’m not sure I blame him. Picture this: the first round, tension high, and Cortes-Acosta catches a finger or a thumb right in the eyeball—the kind of shot that makes you wince through the screen.Delija’s screaming for a replay, like, 'Show me the tape! I don’t even think I hit the eye!' but the ref’s already making moves. Here’s where it gets messy: the ref calls a timeout, right? But then, according to Delija, the dude just sits there chilling, watching the replay on the big screen like he’s in his living room with a bag of chips.Rules? What rules? Delija’s arguing that reviewing the footage mid-fight is a big no-no, and I’m nodding along because this ain’t the NBA where you got instant replay for everything—this is the octagon, where split-second decisions rule. Then, bam, the fight restarts, and 30 seconds later, Cortes-Acosta drops Delija for the knockout.Delija’s now blowing up social media, not crying over the L, but calling out what he sees as a straight-up robbery. 'I respect every opponent,' he says, 'but not when the rules get tossed out the window.' And you gotta feel for the guy—this isn’t just about a loss; it’s about integrity. Remember that time in UFC history when Herb Dean had to navigate a similar eyepoke drama? Or how about in boxing, where fouls can turn a bout upside down? This stuff matters.Delija’s not asking for a handout; he’s asking for fairness, and in a sport where careers hinge on single moments, that’s everything. The fallout? Well, if this protest gains traction, we could see the athletic commission stepping in, maybe even a rematch ordered.But for now, it’s another chapter in the wild world of MMA, where the drama outside the cage sometimes outshines the fists flying inside. Cortes-Acosta might have the highlight reel KO, but Delija’s got a point that’s got the whole community talking—and you know how that goes in the age of Twitter hot takes and Reddit deep dives. This ain’t just a fight; it’s a statement on how the game should be played, and Delija’s making sure we don’t forget it.
#UFC
#Ante Delija
#Cortes-Acosta
#fight controversy
#referee decision
#eye poke
#knockout
#featured