Luke Riley has responded to criticism of his first-round knockout of Kai Kamaka III at UFC 329, pushing back against those who considered referee Kerry Hatley's stoppage premature. At the post-fight press conference, Riley was informed that cageside commentator Joe Rogan questioned the call and he was blunt in his reply, stating that anyone who thought it was an early stoppage "shouldn't be watching fighting." The undefeated Riley insisted Kamaka was two seconds from hitting the canvas and declared himself the hardest hitter in his division.
Luke Riley wasted no time defending referee Kerry Hatley's first-round stoppage of Kai Kamaka III at UFC 329, firing back at critics — including cageside commentator Joe Rogan — who felt the finish came too soon.
The undefeated Riley, 27, confronted the controversy head-on at the post-fight press conference after being told Rogan had questioned the call. His response was characteristically direct: anyone who considered it a premature stoppage, he said, "shouldn't be watching fighting." Riley also doubled down on his own power, declaring himself the hardest hitter in his division. The Englishman out of Next Generation MMA Liverpool now stands at a perfect 14-0, and his numbers back up the knockout threat — he lands 6.67 significant strikes per minute at a 58 percent accuracy rate, elite output for any fighter at his size. Standing five-foot-nine with a 69-inch reach, Riley operates as an orthodox striker with no recorded takedown or submission attempts, making his intentions in the cage about as clear as they come.
Kamaka, 31, entered UFC 329 on the back of a mixed run, his record now sitting at 18-8-1. The Hawaiian, known as "The Fighting Hawaiian" and representing 808 Fight Factory, had shown resilience throughout his career and averages 5.49 significant strikes per minute with a 59 percent accuracy rate of his own. He also adds a grappling dimension — 1.45 takedowns per 15 minutes — that was never given the chance to factor into Saturday's contest.
Why it matters
- Riley's perfect record and stoppage power keep him firmly in the divisional conversation following the win.
- The stoppage controversy draws wider attention to the bout and raises questions about judging standards at featherweight or lightweight level.
- Rogan's public skepticism adds mainstream visibility to the debate, putting pressure on the UFC to address the officiating decision.
- Kamaka's loss is a setback for a veteran who had been working to rebuild momentum in the division.
