At UFC Atlanta on June 14, 2025, the welterweight bout between Rodolfo Bellato and Paul Craig ended abruptly in controversy when Bellato was struck by an upkick in the final seconds of the first round, resulting in a no-contest ruling. The incident reignited heated debates within the MMA community, as many drew parallels to the infamous Aljamain Sterling UFC illegal knee incident involving Petr Yan at UFC 259.
The fight had been rescheduled for UFC Atlanta after Bellato withdrew last month from their original clash at UFC Vegas 106 due to a medical issue. Both competitors came prepared for a gritty battle, with Bellato confident in his ground skills ahead of the match, stating,
My UFC fights didn’t involve much ground action, so he’ll definitely try to take it there. But I’ll show him I’m a black belt too,
—Rodolfo Bellato. However, the highly anticipated contest concluded without a winner when Bellato’s face was struck by an upkick from Craig, forcing referee Kevin MacDonald to halt the contest following a physician’s advice.
Details of the Upkick and Officials’ Reaction
The bout’s key moment came during the last five seconds of round one, with Bellato on top trying to finish the fight and Craig attempting to improve his position on the ground. With three seconds left, Craig’s upkick connected awkwardly with Bellato’s face, sending the Brazilian fighter to the canvas. While upkicks are generally legal in UFC as long as the opponent is not grounded in a position where kicks to the head are prohibited, this impact raised questions about legality and intent.
Following the blow, Bellato appeared momentarily stunned before the referee intervened. The event’s official UFC account clarified the decision, stating,
Due to an accidental foul, and recommendation from our Octagon physician, the bout between Paul Craig and Rodolfo Bellato has been ruled a no contest,
—UFC Official. The unexpected outcome robbed fans of a definitive result and quickly provoked strong reactions on social media.
Social Media Reactions Highlight Fans’ Frustration and Skepticism
The UFC community expressed widespread dissatisfaction with the no-contest ruling, questioning Bellato’s reaction and the fight’s lack of resolution. Former UFC fighter Justin Gaethje voiced his disdain bluntly:
Biggest flop in mma history.
—Justin Gaethje. Bellato, who entered the fight with a UFC record tainted by two losses and a no-contest, has yet to secure a victory under the UFC banner since 2023, adding to the scrutiny of his performance.
Several fans contested the severity of the strike, suggesting the upkick barely made contact, as one social media user remarked,
Looked like it barely touched him.
—Anonymous Social Media User. Under unified MMA rules, the key point of contention is whether the opponent was grounded in a position where a head kick is illegal, which does not appear to be the case here.
Others compared this incident to the controversial clash between Aljamain Sterling and Petr Yan for the bantamweight title, in which Yan threw an illegal knee at a grounded Sterling, leading to Yan’s disqualification. One fan drew criticism toward Bellato, writing,
That might be worse acting than Aljo did against Yan. Bellato is a bitch for that #UFCAtlanta
—Anonymous Social Media User. This comment reflects the ongoing debate surrounding Sterling’s earlier incident and accusations of exaggeration of injury.
Additional reactions were incredulous at Bellato’s dramatic response, with comments such as,
What the f— Bellato just got put out to a upkick by Paul Craig such a crazy reaction when he woke back up.
and suspicions that Bellato may have feigned the injury to gain a favorable outcome,
Faked it to get a dq win.
—Anonymous Social Media Users.
Examining Bellato’s Conduct and Whether the Ruling Was Justified
Video footage revealed Bellato appeared briefly dazed but soon made eye contact with referee Kevin MacDonald before moving toward the cage. He also occasionally reached for his legs during medical assessment, an act that puzzled spectators and fueled accusations of overreaction. Despite the backlash, some fans expressed concern for Bellato’s well-being, with one stating,
Crazy, hope Belato is okay. Sucks for him.
—Anonymous Social Media User. The incident underscored the tension between athlete safety, competitive integrity, and spectator expectations in MMA.
Potential Implications and Future for Paul Craig and Rodolfo Bellato
Due to the inconclusive nature of the bout, the UFC organization may consider rebooking the fight. However, with Bellato’s controversial no-contest still fresh, it remains uncertain if UFC president Dana White will grant Paul Craig another immediate opportunity to compete at this level. The lingering questions surrounding the upkick’s legitimacy and fighter conduct could complicate future matchmaking decisions for both athletes.
This scenario also revives conversations about enforcement of rules regarding strikes on grounded opponents and the broader UFC policy to handle accidental fouls, underlining the sport’s ongoing challenge to balance fairness and fighter safety.