Steven Nguyen stole the spotlight at UFC Abu Dhabi, unleashing a brutal performance that had fans and analysts questioning the referee’s timing. The featherweight repeatedly battered Mohammad Yahya, dropping him multiple times in Round 1 and following up with relentless ground-and-pound in Round 2. Only after Yahya’s eye swelled grotesquely did referee Jason Herzog finally step in — far later than many thought acceptable — giving Nguyen the TKO win.
The late stoppage set social media on fire. Former UFC fighter Zac Pauga cracked, “Herzog wants to see a dead body up close and I respect it,” while veteran analyst Dan Hardy pointed out that Round 1 alone looked like “a stop-the-fight moment.” Fans echoed the frustration, arguing Yahya absorbed unnecessary punishment before anyone acted.
Nguyen vs. Yahya was billed as a competitive featherweight matchup, but it quickly turned into a one-sided showcase. Nguyen’s crisp combinations and precision striking floored Yahya again and again. To his credit, Yahya kept standing, but his body language told the story long before the horn closed Round 2.
What made the scene even harder to watch was the lack of urgency from both Herzog and Yahya’s corner. A towel could have been thrown in at several points, but it never came, and the punishment piled up.
For Nguyen, this dominant win plants his name firmly in the UFC featherweight conversation. For Yahya, it’s a grim reminder of how quickly things can go wrong in MMA when safety protocols lag. UFC hasn’t issued a statement yet, but this stoppage delay will fuel more debate about referee intervention — and how much damage is simply too much.
