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Joel Alvarez’s controversial win over Marc Diakiese draws criticism before UFC Rio

Originally posted on HITC | By Kyle Dimond | Last updated Oct 12, 2025 9:45 AM ET

A fighter returning to the Octagon on Saturday night once found himself on the right side of a controversial referee decision.

UFC 301 heads to Rio de Janeiro’s Farmasi Arena, with plenty of familiar faces ready to put on a show. No one in UFC history has collected more post-fight bonuses than Charles Oliveira.

Oliveira has never been one to back down from a scrap, but he’s also known for his ability to finish fights when he senses an opening.

One of those walking out just before him shares that same reputation as someone who can end a fight in an instant.

Joel Alvarez’s win over Marc Diakiese was clouded by referee controversy

On Saturday night, Joel Alvarez begins a new chapter in his career, making his debut in the welterweight division.

The Spaniard has never been past the finish line in any of his 22 professional wins and only went to the judges once during his UFC debut back in 2019, which resulted in a unanimous decision loss.

Alvarez’s highlight reel features some impressive finishes, and he added another when he traveled to London back in July 2023.

At UFC Fight Night: Aspinall vs Tybura, El Fenómeno took on Marc Diakiese, and the fight delivered plenty of action while it lasted.

The opening round split the judges before Alvarez removed any doubt by submitting ‘Bonecrusher’ with just over half a minute left in the second round.

But there was plenty of debate about what happened after referee Dan Movahedi didn’t pause the action following an accidental clash of heads that occurred just before the grappling exchange leading to the finish.

“It’s almost like they group up and say, ‘let’s ignore it and pretend we had a chat,’” Sterling wrote on X. “Or, ‘Who’d you bet on?? Ok so let’s leave it like this thing and break me off a piece.’ It’s disgusting.”