The Hooligan - “I was Robbed”

By Dave Carpinello

‘The Hooligan’ Steve Steinbeiss finally got his UFC fight and now it is shaded in controversy.  Steinbeiss faced Ryan Jensen on the undercard of UFC Fight Night 19 in Oklahoma. In the first round, Jensen was attempting a Guillotine choke and Steinbeiss gave the ref and fans the thumbs up (which was clear on the video replays). Apparently though, the referee Gary Ritter thought he was submitting and called an end to the fight in the first frame. Steinbiess recently talked with PDG about what happened in the fight and the post fight fallout including his appeal of the decision.

PDG: Most of the fans in attendance thought that was a premature stoppage in your fight; what did you think?

Steve Steinbeiss: I thought it was absolute bullshit.  If you watch the tape he did not even have his legs locked-in and I was giving the thumbs up.  I was in the process of passing his leg to move into side mount and my head would have came out of his attempted choke because it wasn't even tight.  I thought the fight was pretty much even at that point and if the referee hadn't stopped the fight I would have been on top in control with about a minute left in the round. I was robbed.

PDG: After the fight was over did Ryan Jensen have anything to say about it?

Steve Steinbeiss: I didn't hear his comments from his post fight interview in the cage but I did talk to him afterwards and he stated that he didn't want to win the fight like that and that it was a bad stoppage.  I told him that I didn't want to lose the fight that way and the whole situation pretty much sucked for both of us because nobody wants to put it all the time and effort preparing for a fight to have it stopped like that. I can't blame him because we are just fighters who go out there and try to do our job but in this case the referee messed up.

PDG: The UFC was very supportive of you after your first fight was canceled because your opponent failed pre-fight medicals; have you talked to them about what happened in this fight?

Steve Steinbeiss: Joe Silva told me that he saw the thumbs up and didn't know why the fight was stopped and I heard that Dana White was telling people that the referee screwed up.  So it sounds like they're on my side and I was told that they are trying to get me another fight as soon as possible.  Which is great but I am going to try to get the decision in my fight with Jensen change to a no contest first.

PDG: So you filed an appeal?

Steve Steinbeiss: Absolutely because I did not lose that fight.  It wasn't like I was mounted or getting triangled and getting my ass handed to me.  It was early in the fight and anything could have happened.  I was screwed and so I am very pissed off.  From what I hear though it is hard to get decisions like that overturned but all they have to do is watch the tape and the evidence is very conclusive.  Even the judges at ringside said that I was robbed and that they would work with me and the commission to help me get it overturned.  I should be hearing something any day now as far as a final decision on my appeal.  When my career is over I don't want to look back on it and see that one loss on my record that has an asterisk next to it.

PDG: It’s got to be good to know that the UFC is going to try to get you another fight soon.

Steve Steinbeiss: It is great news because I wasn't injured in the fight at all and so I'm ready to fight now.  I wasn't issued any kind of medical suspension and I am in fighting shape.  So hopefully it doesn't take too long before I get another chance in the cage to show what I'm capable of doing.

PDG: Well I'm sure with how things have been going lately it can't hurt to throw out a thanks to your sponsors.

Steve Steinbeiss: Yes definitely because they have stuck with me through these last two disappointing attempts at getting a fight in a cage.  I want to thank Humble Pie (a great pizza place in Kansas), Waltz Construction, Hitman, the TrainingRoom-AZ.com and you guys at PunchDrunkGamer.

**PunchDrunkGamer.com will have an update on Steinbeiss’s Appeal soon.