Steven Nguyen put on one of the most dominant performances in UFC history, but several fighters are wondering if his fight went too far.
In a preliminary featherweight bout at UFC Abu Dhabi, Nguyen absolutely battered Mohammad Yahya, scoring multiple knockdowns in the first round and then doing more damage in Round 2. The bout was mercifully waved off at the end of the second round with Yahya’s eye swelling up in disgusting fashion.
Neither referee Jason Herzog nor Yahya’s corner seemed to have any interest in stopping the fight after a brutel opening round, which surprised many fighters watching Saturday’s event.
Former UFC fighter Zac Pauga wrote on Twitter, “Herzog wants to see a dead body up close and I respect it.”
Veteran MMA commentator Dan Hardy commented that the Round 1 beatdown looked like a “stop the fight” moment.
Check out social media reactions to Nguyen’s performance below.
Herzog wants to see a dead body up close and I respect it. #UFCAbuDhabi
— Zac Pauga (@ZacPauga) July 26, 2025
That eye was INSANE #UFCAbuDhabi
— Casey Oneill (@kingcaseymma) July 26, 2025
Damn did the ref bet decision or something this is crazy #ufcabudhabi
— Casey Oneill (@kingcaseymma) July 26, 2025
Looks like a fractured orbital bone!
Dude is too tough for his own good!
— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) July 26, 2025
Kinda felt like a “stop the fight” moment there…
What was that, five knockdowns?
— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) July 26, 2025
Congrats Nguyen you earned that and set a record for knockdowns
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) July 26, 2025
The whole upper left side of his face is swollen that’s crazy
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) July 26, 2025
7 knockdowns so far this fight!? Wild!! #UFCAbuDhabi
— Cody Durden (@Cody_Durden) July 26, 2025
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