Did He REALLY Tap? Big John McCarthy Explains

Did Dennis Buzukja actually tap... or did the referee stop the fight too soon? On this episode of McCarthy Monday, Josh Thomson and Big John McCarthy break down one of the most controversial moments from UFC Belgrade—the submission finish between Bogdan Grad and Dennis Buzukja that had the MMA world arguing immediately after the fight. Buzukja insisted he was trying to push Grad's leg away rather than submit, while many fans believed the referee made the correct call based on what he saw in real time. Using Big John's decades of experience as one of the most respected referees in MMA history, the guys explain: What legally counts as a tap. Whether a fighter can "fake tap" or disguise an escape attempt. How referees are trained to react when they see hand movement during a submission. Why officials must make split-second decisions to protect fighters. Josh also gives the fighter's perspective on defending submissions, the instinctive movements fighters make under pressure, and whether there's any practical reason to risk ambiguity in those situations. If you've ever watched a fight and wondered whether a referee stopped it too early—or whether a fighter was trying to game the system—this episode is for you. Do you think Buzukja tapped, or was he trying to escape? Let us know your opinion in the comments! 💧 Stay Hydrated with LMNT This offer may be claimed for LMNT customers, ONLY THROUGH OUR LINK! http://drinklmnt.com/WeighingIn https://www.amazon.com/shop/therealpunk?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsfshop_PXSPXPTQ4J26QW4FP4T5 JOIN JOSH THOMSON ON CROSSING LINES YOUTUBE CHANNEL AS WELL https://youtube.com/@crossinglinessportstv?si=Acu-4s5LvAZWesd- 🔥 Join the Weighing In Membership 🥊 $1.99/month – Priority fan questions answered live. 🥊 $4.99/month – Early access to videos, exclusive content, and the opportunity to debate Josh live on the show. 📲 Follow Weighing In Instagram & X: @weighingin @therealpunk #McCarthyMondays #BigJohnMcCarthy #JoshThomson #UFCBelgrade #UFCSerbia #DennisBuzukja #BogdanGrad #MMA #WeighingIn #Referee #Submission #CombatSports