UFC newboy Sam Patterson tried to grapple referee Marc Goddard after brutally losing his debut.
The Team Crossface ace made his eagerly-anticipated octagon bow on Saturday night on the UFC 286 prelims.
Patterson started the contest well but soon found himself on the canvas courtesy of a huge left hook from opponent Yanal Ashmouz.
Israel’s Ashmouz made no mistake with the golden opportunity, unleashing hammer blow after hammer blow until referee Marc Goddard eventually stopped the fight.
And a dazed Patterson tried to grapple with Goddard on his back after awaking and mistaking the veteran ref for Ashmouz.
Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner Goodard managed to fend off the badly dazed Patterson before the cageside officials and the doctor eventually got a hold of him.
But he still didn’t have his wits about him and his corner had to restrain him as he continued to try to get to Goddard.
MMA fans were concerned about Patterson’s well-being after the brutal knockout.
But he allayed their concerns on Instagram, writing on Instagram: “Im Okay, it’s part of the game.
“Got caught early and paid the price. Respect to my opponent and will be back soon!”
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Ashomouz was over the moon with the biggest win of his career and a picture-perfect octagon debut.
He said: “The fans were loud because my opponent was from here.
“Obviously they’re going to be with him.
“But that doesn’t change anything because when you’re in the cage and it closes the crowd doesn’t help you.
“So I don’t care too much about that.
“The overhands work very well against tall guys and most of my fights the guys are taller than me, so I’m used to it because I’m always the small one.
“The guy was out, man. He was moving a little bit before eating these shots but every shot I landed it opened his face.
“If the referee could have stopped that, then why not? He’s the referee so it’s his decision so until I win, I go.
“I was waiting for him to throw something so I could go inside and work.
“He kept going and I knocked him out.”
