Ante Delija was on the verge of another highlight-reel finish at UFC Vegas 110, but a confusing sequence turned what looked like victory into one of the most controversial moments of the night.
Three minutes into the first round of his heavyweight co-main event against Waldo Cortes-Acosta, Delija unloaded a barrage of strikes that sent “Salsa Boy” reeling. Referee Mark Smith stepped in to wave off the fight, and for a brief moment, it appeared Delija had secured another first-round knockout.
However, the celebration was short-lived. Cortes-Acosta immediately protested, claiming he’d been poked in the eye. After a video review confirmed a foul, the referee allowed the fight to continue, a move that infuriated fans and fighters alike. Less than 30 seconds later, Cortes-Acosta landed a massive right hand that knocked out Delija, sealing one of the most chaotic finishes in recent UFC memory.
The result has since sparked debate about referee protocol and the use of instant replay in MMA. The sequence came just a week after Tom Aspinall’s title defense against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 ended in a no-contest due to eye pokes, adding even more heat to the ongoing discussion.
Ironically, Ante Delija had defended his teammate Aspinall before UFC Vegas 110, saying during media day:
“I think Aspinall did a great job by not continuing, and if more fighters do the same, we can prevent situations like that. I’ve had 33 fights and never poked anyone in the eye, and I believe the punishment for that should be severe.”
Those comments have since resurfaced, as Delija himself became entangled in an eye-poke controversy.
Following the fight, Delija took to Instagram to release a five-point statement expressing his frustration with the referee and the commission:
“I’m not sure if I hit him in the eye; I think it was near the eye, and I want to see the footage!
“The referee didn’t call time-out but stopped the fight and declared me the winner. That decision cannot be changed later!
” The opponent sat and rested while watching the footage!
“Replay was used after the interruption, which the rules do not allow!
“After all that, the fight continued irregularly!”
Delija, 35, had entered the bout riding high from a dominant UFC debut, where he knocked out Marcin Tybura inside one round. A former PFL tournament champion, he looked poised to climb the UFC heavyweight rankings before the controversial setback.
Despite the frustration, Ante Delija remains one of the most dangerous heavyweights on the roster. With his power and composure, fans can expect him to bounce back stronger as he looks to reclaim his momentum and push for a top-five spot in the division.
