UFC 186's Alexis Davis on out-of-position ref: 'It happens all the time'

Sarah Kaufman and Alexis Davis

Alexis Davis tapped out Sarah Kaufman in what appeared to be a late stoppage, but the Canadian bantamweight said it’s unfortunately all too common in her line of work.

Davis (17-6 MMA, 4-1 UFC), who suffered two previous losses to Kaufman (17-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC), but she finally got a bit of revenge on Saturday at UFC 186. However, the ending soured what was otherwise a feel-good moment.

In a FOX Sports 1-televised preliminary-card bout at Montreal’s Bell Centre, Davis again found herself on the losing end of a slugfest with the fellow Strikeforce vet. But in the second round, the 30-year-old scrambled to top position and earned the tap-out via armbar.

Unfortunately for both competitors, the ref didn’t immediately have the vantage point to see Kaufman tap out with her free – but still somewhat trapped – arm.

“He just wasn’t in the right position,” said Davis, who fought for the first time since a 16-second title loss to champ Ronda Rousey this past July. “I’d have to go back and look at the position, but as soon as she was able to kind of verbalize it, the ref was on it.

“But, you know, it just happens. It just happens. It happens all the time. If you don’t get on the right angle, if you don’t see it or depending on how they’re tapping, sometimes things like that happen.”

After referee Jerin Valel finally halted the bout, Davis immediately checked on Kaufman to assure she was OK. Thankfully, Kaufman quickly returned to her feet, and though initially clutching her arm, she eventually seemed to shake it loose.

Following the fight, Kaufman was all class as she thanked Davis for the bout (via Instagram):

Although the post-fight focus initially turned to the officiating, Davis took some time in the post-event press conference to discuss the importance of the win.

“It means I’m back,” said Davis, who joked that the momentum shifted once she actually started listening to her corner. “It’s just something I needed to do. I needed to push myself and work myself and put myself back into earshot (of a title shot).

“I want to work my way up, and I want another shot at that title, obviously. … I’m ready to fight. I’m ready to fight tomorrow.”

For complete coverage of UFC 186, check out the UFC Events section of the site.