During Tony vs Khabib the ref makes many questionable calls, repeatedly standing up the fighters for inactivity while Khabib is raining down fight-ending ground and pound, or pausing the action whenever Tony locks a tight submission only to call the doctor to check on inconsequential cuts. The bout ultimately ends in a draw, but not before all kind of confusion ensues after Bruce Buffer has to be called back while he's already initiated his announcement. He can be seen visibly protesting at the commission and eventually returning his original verdict card to them and being provided with a new one.
Dana steps in and announces that, as a consequence of this result, Ferg has failed to retain his title and Khabib hasn't won it either. Then, in tears and in a state of ecstasy, Dana hands Tony's belt over to Conor who's sitting by cage-side, declaring that Conor has achieved his first successful title defense.
In a plot twist, Helwani - who meanwhile had been banned from attending UFC events following the 25th anniversary press conference fiasco, but who was able to sneak past the gate surveillance by posing as an Afghan woman in full burqa - abandons his low-profile disguise and in a full eruption of indignation vehemently asks Dana how it is even possible that Conor defended the belt without fighting.
Unfazed, Dana White stares down Ariel with contempt and with a steady droning tone replies: "next question."
