Smith (left), Herzon and Teixeira (photo via UFC / YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Following UFC Jacksonville, there’s been widespread outcry over the fact the main event bout between Glover Teixeira and Anthony Smith wasn’t stopped sooner. More recently, the fight’s referee, Jason Herzog, has taken responsibility for what transpired.

Smith bested Teixeira in many of the early exchanges, but as the fight wore on, the perennial contender took over. In the later rounds, Teixeira battered Smith with multiple punches, and many have argued the fight should have been stopped sooner than it was in round five.

On Friday, Herzog shared out this statement:

“This sport of MMA is beautiful, it’s pure. And an incredible teacher. Some lessons are more harsh than others. I’ve seen a lot of opinions about what should have (happened), who was at fault.

“But let me be clear, there is only one person to blame. Me.

“I am responsible for each fighter I am entrusted to oversee. I will take this experience, make the necessary changes, and get better.”

#UFCJAX pic.twitter.com/Y4DefYSdrm

— Jason Herzog (@JasonHerzogMMA) May 15, 2020

After the bout, which left Smith with multiple facial injuries, he relayed he had no issues with his coaches or Herzog.