Instant replay plays key role in decision

It allows referees to use replay in very few instances in mixed martial arts and boxing competition, mostly dealing with illegal blows that come at the end of fights.

One of those cases came up on Saturday night’s Ultimate Fighting Championship card at the Palms and instant replay was used for the first time in the state.

Jon Jones pummelled Matt Hamill on the ground for over a minute, but eventually landed what was deemed to be an illegal downward elbow, commonly referred to as a “12-to-6” blow.

“(Referee) Steve (Mazzagatti) stopped the fight and initially decided to take (a) point away. (He) looked at (Hamill and decided) he couldn’t continue,” NAC executive director Keith Kizer said. “He had to make an initial call, then came down to look at the instant replay.

”Obviously, a lot of damage was done by legal blows, but then there was damage also done by the illegal elbows. If there’s any contributory effect of the illegal elbows, then disqualification is the call.”

Kizer said the replay confirmed Mazzagatti’s original decision that a disqualification was in order, and Hamill was awarded the victory.

The match referee has sole discretion in viewing the replay and acts alone in determining the outcome after viewing it.

Kizer said he did not believe there was any malice behind the illegal blows and that Jones would face no further discipline from the commission.

* RAMPAGE BACK — Quinton “Rampage” Jackson announced on his Web site on Friday that he has ended his “retirement” and will return to the UFC when he has finished filming the movie version of “The A-Team.”

Jackson was supposed to fight Rashad Evans in the main event of UFC 107 on Saturday night.

He backed out of the card, which will take place in his hometown of Memphis, Tenn., when the opportunity to star in the movie came about.

Jackson said he would not return to fighting, an announcement that was met with much skepticism.

* HENDERSON SIGNS — Former UFC star Dan Henderson ended his free agency by signing with rival Strikeforce over the weekend.

The 39-year-old former Olympic wrestler is expected to make his debut sometime in early 2010.

* WALKER FIGHT SET — Strikeforce also announced that former NFL star Herschel Walker will make his debut with the organization on Jan. 30 in Miami.

An opponent has yet to be announced for the 47-year old, who won the Heisman Trophy in 1982.

* TUF 11 COACHES SET — Tito Ortiz made it clear after losing to Forrest Griffin in his return to the UFC that he was interested in coaching on season 11 of “The Ultimate Fighter.”

The prevailing thought was that Ortiz could coach against Griffin to set up a third matchup between the two light heavyweights.

Ortiz got his wish as he was named one of the coaches for the season, which begins filming in Las Vegas next month.

He will be opposed, however, by Chuck Liddell.

Each fighter already has served as a coach on the show in the past.

The season will premiere on Spike (Cable 29) on March 31.

Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509.