Luke Riley defends UFC 329 stoppage of Kai Kamaka III

Luke Riley says referee Kerry Hatley prevented unnecessary damage when he stopped the featherweight's UFC 329 fight against Kai Kamaka III in the opening round Saturday night.

Riley dropped Kamaka with a right hand that opened a cut near the Hawaiian's eye, then landed a flurry against the cage that prompted Hatley to wave off the contest. The stoppage drew immediate pushback from commentators Joe Rogan and Daniel Cormier, who noted Kamaka was still on his feet and covering up.

Riley fires back at early stoppage critics

The undefeated Brit defended the finish in his post-fight interview. "Kai is a tough motherf*cker. But once I sniff blood, it's done," Riley said, per Sherdog. "Once I landed that shot on the chin, seeing he was rocked, he was hurt, he was just a wounded animal that was gonna be put down. And the ref saved him."

Riley took heavy leg kicks early but needed only one clean punch to hurt Kamaka and shift momentum. The 27-year-old from Liverpool said fans had labeled him a decision fighter after his split-decision win over Michael Aswell in his previous outing, but the first-round finish — his 10th career stoppage — changed that narrative.

Addressing Rogan and Cormier's commentary at the post-fight presser, Riley was blunt. "They've f*cking lost their minds. Two more seconds, and he would have been face down on the canvas," he said. "I know what I can do."

Riley improved to 14-0 overall and 3-0 in the UFC with the victory. He has not indicated his next opponent but told reporters he plans to keep stacking wins and experience in the featherweight division.

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• Sherdog — Luke Riley defends UFC 329 stoppage, says referee ‘saved’ Kai Kamaka III