What happens when a referee's failure leads to unnecessary violence in the octagon? That’s the question on every fight fan’s mind after UFC Vegas 109, where referee Chris Tognoni faced serious backlash for allowing extra punches to land during a brutal knockout. The incident unfolded when Elijah Smith faced off against Toshiomi Kazama, and what should have been a swift stoppage turned into a shocking display of inaction.

Tognoni, a veteran in the officiating world, was positioned perfectly to intervene the moment Smith delivered a slam knockout that left Kazama unconscious on the canvas. It was a moment that had everyone on the edge of their seats, expecting the fight to be called. Instead, Tognoni inexplicably stepped aside, allowing two more devastating punches to land on Kazama’s head before finally stepping in to stop the fight.

The brutality of the follow-up strikes was hard to watch, especially in slow-motion, which only amplified the error made by the referee. UFC commentator John Gooden described the knockout as one of the ‘most violent’ he has ever witnessed, while former champion Daniel Cormier could only express disbelief, exclaiming, “Jesus Christ, referee, what are you doing?”

Dominick Cruz, another commentator, echoed the sentiments of many viewers as they reviewed the shocking footage, emphasizing that Tognoni clearly “missed that one.” Fans flooded social media with their outrage, calling for accountability. Comments like “Vicious. Also, wtf ref. You had one job,” and “The ref needs to be fired smh,” captured the anger and disbelief of fight enthusiasts around the world.

One fan wondered aloud, “Where’s the ref at??? Wtf those follow-up shots could have been avoided.” Another chimed in, “Ref took way too long to get in there.” The collective frustration culminated in a unanimous sentiment that Chris Tognoni's performance was not just subpar; it was dangerously negligent.

As the uproar continues, many are left wondering: how could a seasoned referee allow such a lapse in judgment? Perhaps it’s time for a reevaluation of officiating standards in the UFC.