In MMA, referees are tasked with ensuring the safety of the fighters and making sure the rules are followed. However, mistakes can happen, and when they do, they can have serious consequences. One such instance occurred at Fury FC 76 in San Antonio, Texas.
A fighter in a Fury FC event in Houston, Texas, found himself in a harrowing situation after the referee, Frank Collazo, made a mistake that could have cost the fighter his life. The incident occurred on March 24. It still continues to be a topic of discussion in the MMA community.
What happened at Fury FC 76?
The fight between Edgar Chairez and Gianni Vazquez started at a brisk pace, with both fighters trading blows. The pace increased as the fighters moved around the ring. Before long the audience could feel the excitement in the air. The two fighters seemed evenly matched. Needless to say, the match was exhilarating.
In the third round, things took a dramatic turn. Chairez landed a hard blow to Vazquez’s head, causing him to stumble and fall to the ground. As the fighter tried to get back up, it was evident that something was wrong. Vazquez’s legs were wobbling. He even struggled to keep his balance.
The referee should have intervened at this point and stopped the fight. Instead, Collazo allowed the fight to continue. Chairez continued to land blows. Vazquez seemed to be knocked down as he was clearly in trouble.
Vazquez could have faced grave consequences
As the fight continued, Vazquez started to gasp for air. The referee still did not stop the fight, and the fighter continued to receive blows to the head. It was a horrifying scene for the audience and the fighters’ teams, who were pleading with the referee to stop the fight.
Even the commentary team comprising Alex Morono, Michael Alexander, and Raheel Ramzanali intervened. They shouted at the referee to put the fight to an end.
Finally, Vazquez passed out completely as he could not find any room for ventilation anymore. Collazo came to his senses and stopped the fight. Vazquez was rushed to the hospital, where he received treatment for the damage he had sustained.
Referees need to take their job seriously
The MMA community was shocked by the referee’s mistake. Many people criticized him for his negligence. The incident sparked a discussion about the importance of referees and their role in ensuring the safety of the fighters.
This ref needs to step away from the sport. That was terrible.
— Mike Pierce (@MikePierce170) March 25, 2023
I seriously thought he was gonna die, if he hadn’t have switched to the armbar he may have 🤯
— Biggswb (@Biggswb) March 25, 2023
Ridiculous scene at Fury FC. Edgar Cháirez puts Gianni Vazquez to sleep with a triangle, and the ref simply doesn’t stop it. Cháirez ends up armbarring an unconscious Vazquez who wakes up in the submission. #Furyfc76 pic.twitter.com/AgcwI2i3ss
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) March 25, 2023
The media also covered the incident extensively, with many outlets reporting on the fighter’s ordeal. This horrendous incident highlighted the risks involved in MMA and the importance of safety measures.
Collazo’s carelessness was a wake-up call for the MMA community, and it led to a renewed focus on fighter safety. The bout served as a reminder that referees play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of the fighters. In light of this event, now it has become quintessential for them to take their responsibilities seriously.
Fury FC 76 was a harrowing reminder of the risks involved in MMA and the importance of safety measures. The incident sparked an important discussion about the role of referees. And the discussion should be further perpetuated. The fight shed light on ensuring fighter safety and highlighted the need for continued efforts to improve safety measures in the sport.
The MMA community must work together to ensure that similar incidents do not happen in the future and that fighters can compete in a safe and secure environment.
