UFC flyweight prospect Maycee Barber has explained why she doesn’t feel safe in the cage with referee Mark Smith after his performance during her win over Karine Silva at UFC 323.
Back at UFC 323, Maycee Barber was able to fight her way to a big win, putting her back in title contention at 125 pounds. However, there was a moment in the fight when she was tossed around by an illegal kick from Silva, which in Smith’s eyes was considered nothing more than a glancing blow.
There was a real sense of confusion surrounding Smith’s call, with commentators even questioning his logic. Unfortunately, the fight continued and Maycee Barber rallied to get a much-needed victory as her chase for the gold continued.
In a recent interview, Maycee Barber gave her thoughts on Smith’s performance.
Maycee Barber’s frustration towards Mark Smith
“He came over there and asked me what was going on. I thought I was fine, I’m a little dizzy, but I’m fine,” Barber explained. “I don’t know why you guys are asking me that, I’m a little dizzy, but I’m fine. I realized something happened, she kicked me and I knew she kicked me. I thought if I felt like that, I had to take her down. I need some time, but I think I’m going to take her down. That’s my plan. I’m going to take her down and I took her down.”
“When I watched it back, she kicked me and it was obvious I was wobbling. He did tell me ‘that was a glancing blow’ and ‘stop.’ I was surprised. The purpose of the upkick when someone kicks you is to get up. Her intention was to kick and get up. I think if you were the referee you would put someone back on the ground. At least put her back on the ground, if not, take a point or both. It is what it is.”
“I’ve been told several times that this is a great referee, and from my perspective right now I feel like I don’t want him criticizing my fights at all,” Barber said. “I don’t feel safe with him there anymore. I don’t feel like he is a very fair referee.”
“People have bad days, so I try not to be too harsh, but at the same time that’s my job. My job is on the line. He could have a bad day at work, but he gets paid anyway. It kind of sucks that we have athletes who have to come in and have people who can have days off and still get paid and risk our jobs.”
Quotes via MMA fighting
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