A mixed martial arts official faced severe backlash following his delayed response to a devastating knockout during a featherweight contest at Shooto Brasil 132 in Rio de Janeiro.
The controversy erupted when Brazilian fighter Joao Oliveira delivered a powerful head kick that sent Willian Prado crashing to the canvas in the third round.
Despite Prado lying helpless on his back, the referee inexplicably hesitated to halt the action.
This dangerous delay compelled Oliveira, who initially showed restraint, to land additional strikes before the official eventually stepped in.
Brazilian fighter Joao Oliveira delivered a powerful head kick that appeared to knock Willian Prado out
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The incident, broadcast on UFC Fight Pass, ignited widespread condemnation across social media platforms.
The sequence of events highlighted the referee's alarming inaction during a critical moment.
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After Oliveira's devastating head strike sent Prado to the mat, the Brazilian fighter demonstrated remarkable sportsmanship by initially refusing to continue his assault on his clearly incapacitated opponent.
However, with the official failing to call off the contest, Oliveira found himself in an impossible position.
He was forced to deliver several additional blows to the defenceless Prado before the referee belatedly recognised the severity of the situation and intervened.
Joao Oliveira pleaded with the referee to end the contest but he did not move
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This unnecessary extension of violence occurred during what should have been an immediate stoppage, given Prado's obvious inability to defend himself.
Viewers watching the regional event expressed fury at the official's performance, with social media erupting in criticism.
"I really don't understand how some refs got the job," one fan commented.
Another viewer went further, declaring: "Some refs in MMA deserve actual jail time."
A third person questioned the official's credentials entirely, asking: "How can he be a ref?"
The intensity of the online reaction reflected growing concerns about fighter safety when officials fail to protect competitors from unnecessary damage.
The incident reignited debates about refereeing standards in mixed martial arts, particularly at regional events where oversight may be less stringent.
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Joao Oliveira was forced to deal additional damage to Willian Prado, though he did pull his punches, before the referee finally intervened
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This was not an isolated incident in the sport's ongoing struggle with officiating standards.
UFC President Dana White has previously voiced strong criticism of referee performance, particularly following a 2023 bout between Jalin Turner and Bobby Green.
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He could have made that much worse 😮💨 #ShootoBrazil132
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) September 20, 2025
Joao "The Diamond" Oliveira wins by KO pic.twitter.com/1V1gWUM1EI
In that contest, referee Kerry Hatley allowed Turner to deliver numerous unanswered strikes to a defenceless Green before finally stopping the fight.
White condemned the display as "one of the worst I've ever seen," noting that whilst some officials had made questionable statements in the past, such as "I allowed her to be a warrior tonight," at least Hatley acknowledged his error and "does not feel good about it."