Ricky Simon Talks Controversial UFC AC Win, 50K Bonus & Wants Benito Lopez Next

Ricky Simon made his UFC debut recently at UFC Fight Night Atlantic City, defeating Merab Dvalishvili in a way many people deemed controversial.

While some people see some controversy in the way Simon won the fight, it couldn’t be more different in how the victorious fighter views everything.

“I don’t know how you can go out a few times in a fight and win, the right call was made and I don’t know what everyone is getting mad at me for. I’m not the ref, all you really have to do is go online and listen to the most knowledgeable referees out there. The only people getting their panties in a bunch are people from the east coast, I’ll hit him and his teammates and that’s it. People are telling me “Merab says he wasn’t out” and I’m like of course he was going to say that, but when I’m squeezing on a limp neck…its easy, there neck (when out) gets a little squishy. He was going in and out and I could feel it, I was yelling at the ref. The right call was made and I am happy for it,” says Simon in an exclusive interview with Fightful’s James Lynch.

Dvalishvili did appeal the loss and tried to overturn the result to a no contest, but the state of New Jersey turned that appeal down.

Simon may have gotten a controversial win at UFC Fight Night Atlantic City, but he also got a $50,000 bonus and the fighter has some plans for that dough.

“The goal for me is to buy a house, so I’m gonna sit on it…keep living like I’ve been living. No reason to go crazy, I have everything I want and need. The one thing I want to do is buy a house this year, so I’m thinking one or two more fights and lets get a house,” says Simon.

While Simon wants to fight one to two more times this year, no word has been given by the UFC yet as to when he could be back in action.