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Sep 6, 2025; Paris, FRANCE; Ante Delija (blue gloves) reacts after the fight against Marcin Tybura (red gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Accor Arena. Mandatory Credit: Per Haljestam-Imagn Images \/ Per Haljestam-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
“I\u2019m not sure if I hit him in the eye, I think it\u2019s near the eye, and of course, I want a video where you can see that stab,” Delija wrote, translation via MMAFighting<\/a>. “The referee did not show ‘time-out,’ but stopped the fight and therefore declared me the winner. That decision cannot be changed later! The opponent sat and relaxed while watching the footage! Replay used after the interruption – which rules do not allow!! After all, the fight continued irregularly!”<\/p>\n Delija went further on a deeper rant, simply requesting accountability for what occurred.<\/p>\n “I ask for nothing more, just honesty,” Delija wrote. “I don\u2019t run from defeat. I respect every opponent and every outcome. But not when rules are broken and I\u2019m robbed. Not in this way. The sport hasn\u2019t seen this yet!!!”<\/p>\n READ MORE: Steve Garcia doubles down on Max Holloway callout following UFC Vegas 110 win<\/a><\/p>\n Nov 11, 2023; New York, NY, USA; Tom Aspinall (blue gloves) reacts to beating Sergei Pavlovich (red gloves) during UFC 295 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images \/ Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Delija was previously unbeaten in the UFC and had been previously linked to a potential fight with Aspinall<\/a>, should the England native remain the UFC Heavyweight Champion. Aspinall (15-3, 1 NC MMA) publicly stated he wouldn’t fight Delija, which made UFC CEO Dana White livid.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI hate that,” White told TNT Sports UK before UFC 321. “Many friends, relatives have all fought each other before. To even think about vacating it because you don\u2019t wanna compete against somebody is absolutely insane.\u201d<\/p>\n Delija came to Aspinall’s defense after Aspinall was unable to continue in his eventual No Contest against Ciryl Gane (13-2, 1 NC).<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI really don\u2019t understand,\u201d Delija told reporters<\/a> via translator, leading up to the Cortes-Acosta fight. \u201cI had 33 fights and I never poked somebody in the eye, and I do believe the punishment for that should be severe.\u201d<\/p>\n Delija says he respects Aspinall’s wishes to not fight him, if the scenario became evident.<\/p>\n \u201cHe is really, really dear friend of mine and I do believe with that statement he really showed his character,\u201d Delija said. \u201cI would also not fight against him for the belt.\u201d<\/p>\n For now, though, Delija tries to get answers as his road to a title shot will have to wait a bit longer.<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0UFC star suffered devastating injury during viral UFC 321 knockout<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0Ex-UFC champion calls for massive change to post-fight bonuses in Paramount era<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0UFC reportedly parts ways with two fighters after disappointing UFC 321 performances<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0Jon Jones brutally trolls UFC star Tom Aspinall during DBX 4 weigh-ins<\/a><\/p>\n Stick with\u00a0MMAKnockout<\/a>\u00a0for more FREE coverage of the UFC and MMA.<\/p>\n Follow MMAKnockout on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0Twitter<\/a>, and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n