Seth Baczynski Files Appeal, Says McKenzie Tapped. Decide For Yourself!

Added on Dec 09, 2010 by John Petit in

UFC & MMA

You Make The Call!

Seth Baczynski fought Tim McKenzie this past December 2 at Tachi Palace Fights 7 ‘Deck the Halls.’ The official result of the win is McKenzie wins via TKO in the first round. Baczynski, although a sportsman in the video during the decision, does not feel the fight should be awarded to McKenzie. The California State Athletic Commission will hold a hearing sometime in early 2011, because of an appeal of the decision.

In the closing moments of the fight, Seth locked up a pretty tight armbar that had Tim squirming and rolling. Seth managed to roll on to his back, and really to torque the arm. Seth then lets go of the arm, and Tim finishes him off from the side mount with elbows.

Baczynski contends that Mckenzie tapped multiple times, and has the video to prove it. He says that is why he let go of the arm. He felt the tap, he didn’t want to cause real damage, and let it go. The video seems to show he has a valid argument. It really looks like McKenzie tapped twice, and possibly three times.

I remember watching a Renzo Gracie video where he talks about the ‘Brazilian Tap’ at Jiu Jitzu tournaments. He described it as, when someone is locked up in a submission, they try to tap once or twice in a manner in which the ref could not see the tap. If the fighter releases the submission, it could give them the advantage to turn the tables, or at the least flee from danger.

I am not sure if thats what this is. It almost looks like McKenzie is shocked the fight wasn’t stopped, and just went for it. I think even then, the sportsman thing to do, is to stop fighting because you tapped. This seems a little different to me. This might be a gray area, and emotions are at their highest in these situations. Fighters are reacting on almost primal instincts at times. One second a guy is trying to rip your arm off your torso, and the next second everyone is screaming keep fighting.

I am very interested to see how this plays out, because the evidence seems to back up his story really well. I think if they change the decision, they will change it to a no contest, before they give him the win.

Until Then: You Make The Call!