UFC upholds controversial DQ

At UFC 142 in Brazil last Saturday, rising welterweight star Erick Silva was denied a 29-second technical knockout victory. Silva was disqualified during his bout with fellow Brazilian Carlo Prater for landing what the referee deemed to be illegal strikes.

Upon review Silva's punches appeared to hit the side of Prater's head, not the base of the spine, which is the illegal area of the head.

The UFC acted as the regulator for the event since there was no regulatory commission in Brazil. Despite this, the UFC will not overturn the decision to disqualify Silva.

"Based on the referee's verbal warnings and his determination that the blows were intentional and a disqualifying foul, this is not the type of decision that can be reviewed. Therefore, the decision stands," UFC vice president of government and regulatory affairs Marc Ratner said in a statement Friday.

The UFC also announced that they plan on using instant replay at future events to make things easier with potentially controversial moments during fights.

"Recently, Zuffa (the UFC's parent company) has decided to implement the use of instant replay at all international events that are self-regulated, and to encourage all regulators to consider the feasibility and effectiveness of instant replay in the sport of MMA," Ratner said.

"While instant replay would not have reversed the call in the Silva-Prater bout, we believe that it could be valuable to referees and the sport in the future."

Silva was given a win bonus following the fight, despite being officially disqualified. The loss dropped Silva's MMA record to 13-2.

The 27-year-old is regarded as one of the top prospects in the 170-pound division and was coming off a 40-second knockout win over Luis Ramos in his UFC debut at UFC 134 in August.