Drew Dober, known for his toughness, agreed with the referee`s decision to stop his recent fight at UFC Mexico, despite initially wanting to continue.
In the co-main event, Manuel Torres landed a punch that dropped Dober. While Dober quickly grabbed a leg for a takedown attempt, Torres followed up with hammer fists. Referee Mike Beltran stopped the fight in the first round at 1:45.
Immediately after the stoppage, Dober stood up, seemingly ready to keep fighting. This led to debate, with some criticizing Beltran for letting Dober take too much damage, while others were confused by Dober`s quick recovery.
However, Dober stated that it was “a good stoppage.” He explained that the first or second hammer fist disoriented him, even though his body kept fighting on instinct. He described it as being on autopilot, saying, “the lights were on but nobody was home.”
Dober clarified that he grabbed Torres`s leg because he was no longer fully conscious. He reiterated that the stoppage was justified, emphasizing his body`s automatic reaction to fight beyond his mental state.
After reviewing the fight, Dober could see the exact moment the fight should have been stopped. He pointed out that his takedown attempt changed after the initial hammer fists, becoming ineffective and signaling his compromised state.
Dober doesn`t blame Beltran for the late stoppage, recognizing the referee`s difficult job. He mentioned Beltran told him he understands Dober`s fighting style and resilience, giving him every chance to recover.
Dober believes the delayed stoppage was due to his body`s continued fighting response despite his mind being absent. He takes responsibility, not blaming anyone else, including Manuel Torres.
While fighter safety is crucial in referee decisions, Dober prefers referees to give fighters every opportunity to recover and continue. He acknowledges that in the UFC Mexico fight, there was no recovery possible.
Dober recognizes the risks of his chosen career in MMA. He accepts that setbacks are part of the sport and believes referees should generally allow professional fighters more leeway to work through difficult moments.
Despite the controversy around the stoppage, Dober is more focused on his third consecutive UFC loss and the disappointment of not showcasing his fight preparation due to the quick finish.
Dober reviewed the fight to understand what went wrong, realizing he executed his game plan well in the short time. He acknowledges the role of luck in fighting, as Torres landed a decisive blow. He remains confident in his abilities and is eager for his next fight, giving credit to Torres for the knockout.
Prioritizing his long-term health, Dober will take time to recover and consult doctors, including a neurologist, to assess his brain health after the knockout. He is undergoing treatments to ensure proper healing before his return to training. He aims to fight again around August or September, depending on medical clearance.
Dober understands the risks of his fighting style and the punishment it entails. He is committed to ensuring his brain is healthy enough to withstand future fights and is taking precautions to recover properly.
