UFC Seattle Explained: Illegal Fouls, Missed Calls, and the Controversial Bahamondes vs. Musayev Result

From the opening round, Bahamondes looked sharp, even scoring early success on the feet. But as the fight wore on, Musayev rallied back in brutal fashion, opening a massive cut and turning the bout into what many called the “bloodiest fight of 2026.” Despite the damage, Bahamondes pushed through to the final bell, making it a competitive and gritty contest.

The controversy centers around two key incidents that occurred during the fight: a fence grab and an uncalled headbutt.

Tofiq Musayev’s Debateable Headbutt and Cage Grab at UFC Seattle

Multiple reports confirmed that Musayev committed an illegal fence grab and also landed a headbutt during the bout, both of which went unpunished by the referee. These moments proved crucial, as they came during high-pressure sequences where Bahamondes appeared to be gaining momentum.

In MMA, fouls like cage grabbing can prevent takedowns or help a fighter escape dangerous positions. Similarly, clashes of heads—intentional or not—can significantly impact damage and rhythm. In this case, the lack of any warning or point deduction became the focal point of post-fight debate.

The backlash was immediate. Fans argued that the fight’s trajectory may have shifted directly because of those missed calls, while others pointed to ongoing inconsistencies in how referees enforce rules. The situation even drew criticism from fighters, including Belal Muhammad.

Despite the controversy, the bout was officially awarded Fight of the Night, underlining just how entertaining it was. Musayev’s win stands, and there has been no formal review or overturn.

Still, the narrative around this fight has clearly shifted. Instead of focusing solely on the action inside the cage, much of the conversation now revolves around what the referee didn’t do.