Tim Kennedy had good reason to be upset heading into the third round of his featured middleweight fight Saturday night at UFC 178 in Las Vegas against Yoel Romero. After all, he had been pushed around for nearly two rounds before landing monstrous punches to the head of his opponent Yoel Romero at the end of the second period that appeared to have the Cuban out on his feet before the horn sounded and saved him.

Then, once the rest period between the second and third round had ended and referee John McCarthy instructed both fighters to get off their stools and resume fighting, Romero did not rise and was tended to by his corner for a bit longer. Kennedy immediately protested the default extra rest and recovery time the hurt Romero was given but McCarthy allowed the fight to continue and without penalty to Romero.

Then, the former Olympic silver medalist managed to pounce on Kennedy and knock him out early in the third round. Needless to say, Kennedy was furious at the turn of events, and he wasted little time seeking out Romero and telling him as much backstage, afterwards (video above).

"If you can't get off the stool, that's the end of the fight," a frustrated Kennedy told Romero.

Check out the Vine clip above for yourself and see the brief moment captured on tape. Then, let us know what you think of the controversy in the comments section.

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