Worst stoppage of 2025? Referee fails to save defenseless fighter after brutal head kick knockout | Video

Fight fans witnessed one of the worst stoppages of the year on Friday night (Sept. 19, 2025) at Shooto Brazil 132 LIVE on UFC Fight Pass from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as a referee inexplicably needed to see more punishment dished out after a brutal head kick knockout.

Unfortunately, we’ve grown accustomed to seeing some pretty bad stoppages in MMA. With so many promotions, locations, and fights overall, fans don’t ever really know what to expect from a referee standpoint. There are some top-level officials you are pretty consistent and fair, but even they sometimes have issues with stoppages and knowing when to step in to save a fighter in need.

Friday’s undercard produced one of these unfortunate referee situations. It occurred during a featherweight matchup between Brazilian finisher Joao Oliveira and previously undefeated prospect Willian Prado. Oliveira busted Prado up pretty good over the first two rounds before launching a perfectly-placed right high kick in the third that connected flush and sent Prado violently crashing to the canvas.

Prado, who was already bloody from the earlier rounds, was clearly out. He went completely stiff on the way to the ground and bounced the back of his head off the canvas. Instead of stopping the fight, the referee stood there and asked for more action from Oliveira. “Diamond” went on to land roughly 10 unanswered punches to a defenseless Prado as he signaled to the referee to call the fight. Even the announcers were stunned by the late call.

Check out the final moments below and let us know what you think!

0 Comments