MMA followers are divided over the controversy surrounding the illegal upkick Rodolfo Bellato sustained from Paul Craig at the finish of the first spherical of their preliminary card headliner at UFC Atlanta.
Bellato appeared to have been briefly knocked unconscious by the upkick and the judges ended up ruling the mild heavyweight bout a No Contest. Many combat followers now imagine that Bellato could have exaggerated the affect, noting that he appeared to complain to the referee whereas falling to the canvas.
In the aftermath of the bout, the Brazilian instantly issued a statement saying that the affect sustained by him was reliable and he misplaced management over his senses. He additional dismissed the allegations by insisting that he would by no means run away from a struggle.
Take a look at the put up beneath:
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The put up sparked a number of fan reactions on the platform. One fan wrote:
“Seemed fake af, but sometimes the body is freaky, who is aware of?”
Others commented:
“The kick did not even hit him in the face. It grazed his shoulder.”
“Get this man into the WWE with the over-the-top performing.”
“Defend your self always. It is like the first lesson.”
“Often, you do not keep in mind the shot in any respect.”
Take a look at extra fan reactions beneath:
![Fan reactions. [Screenshots courtesy: @ChampRDS on X]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/06/520b5-17501383537588-1920.jpg)
Aljamain Sterling weighs in on controversy surrounding Rodolfo Bellato
Aljamain Sterling discovered himself in an identical controversy when he confronted Petr Yan at UFC 259. Drawing from his personal expertise, Sterling seems to imagine that Rodolfo Bellato was genuinely harm.
On this bout, Yan landed an illegal knee to a grounded Sterling’s face which resulted in a disqualification for the Russian fighter. In the aftermath, ‘The Funk Grasp’ was closely criticized by followers, who fashioned the narrative that the 35-12 months-previous exaggerated the affect and faked the knockout.
Sterling addressed the Bellato scenario in a video on his YouTube channel, stating that he didn’t imagine the Brazilian was performing and urged he could have been legitimately harm.
Take a look at Aljamain Sterling’s feedback on Rodolfo Bellato beneath (8:54):
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Edited by Shehryar Edibam
