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MMA, or mixed martial arts, has seen many controversial fights throughout its history, often involving controversial decisions by judges or questionable actions by fighters. One of the most infamous and hotly debated fights in MMA history is the bout between Jon Jones and Matt Hamill at The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale in 2009.
Jones, who was a young and relatively unknown fighter at the time, entered the fight with an undefeated record of 8-0, while Hamill was a seasoned veteran with a record of 7-2. The fight was expected to be a showcase for Jones, who was known for his flashy and unorthodox fighting style.
The first round of the fight was largely uneventful, with both fighters feeling each other out and attempting to establish their range. However, things began to heat up in the second round, when Jones landed an illegal downward elbow strike to the face of Hamill, who was on the ground at the time.
The referee stopped the fight and deducted two points from Jones for the illegal strike. However, the damage had already been done, as Hamill was unable to continue due to a dislocated shoulder that he sustained earlier in the round.
The judges ruled the fight as a disqualification win for Hamill, as per the unified rules of MMA, which states that an intentional foul that causes an injury to an opponent can result in a disqualification. However, many fans and experts were outraged by the decision, as they believed that the foul was unintentional and that Jones should have been given a no-contest instead of a loss.
Jones himself has admitted that he made a mistake with the elbow strike, but he has also argued that it was an unintentional mistake and that he should not have been punished so severely. The controversy surrounding the fight has continued to this day, with many fans and experts still debating whether the ruling was fair or not.
In addition to the controversy surrounding the foul, the fight also raised questions about the rules of MMA and how they are enforced. Some have argued that the rules need to be more clearly defined and that referees need to be better trained to handle situations like this one.
Despite the controversy, Jones has gone on to become one of the most dominant fighters in MMA history, winning multiple championships and establishing himself as one of the sport's all-time greats. Hamill, on the other hand, retired from MMA in 2013, after a career that saw him earn a reputation as a tough and durable fighter.
The Jones-Hamill fight will always be remembered as one of the most controversial and debated fights in MMA history, and it serves as a reminder of the importance of fair play and sportsmanship in combat sports.
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