(And just like that Bonnar’s dreams of being a forehead model went up in smoke.)
We’re not exactly sure what the Combat Sports Authority of New South Wales actually did between the time Stephan Bonnar submitted his appeal and the time they ruled to deny it. One would assume that at some point their decision-making process would have led them to actually view a tape of the fight at UFC 110, which is when they would have seen the accidental headbutt from Krzysztof Soszynski that led to the fight-ending cut. Only somehow it didn’t happen that way. Somehow, even after “a review was held,” the officials reported that they “did not seek to interfere with the referee’s decision.” Which means that loss is as permanent on Bonnar’s record as the k-shaped scar probably is on his forehead.
As anyone who’s seen the tape knows, this is the wrong decision. The cut was clearly caused by a headbutt and not a punch, as the referee initially ruled. The ref can be forgiven for making that mistake. The action’s moving pretty fast in the Octagon, as perhaps you’ve noticed, and he didn’t have days to sit around looking at the video and thinking it over. The Combat Sports Authority did, and they still decided to do nothing. Why? Probably because doing nothing is usually easier than doing anything at all, and it’s a hard habit to break for a regulatory body.
But have no fear, Bonnar believes that Dana White, who is “a fair guy,” will give him the rematch soon, possibly at the TUF 11 Finale on June 19. Looks like Bonnar has about three months to perfect the vicious combination that will allow him to exact his revenge by carving “Stephan wuz here” into Soszynski’s face.
No one’s saying it’s going to be easy, but if action movies have taught us anything it’s that somewhere in China there’s a monk who knows exactly how to pull this move off. He might even be able to teach Bonnar some important life lessons in the process, while also reinforcing harmful cultural stereotypes. Basically, a really good time will be had by all.


Just proves that whenever Australians get together, it’s just to drink beer.