UFC bout delayed over fighter’s toenails: ‘Never seen that before’

Combat sports are the constant land of never-before-seen things.

And at UFC 309, we had a fight delayed due to toenails.

The start of the final fight on the prelims between Marcus McGhee and Jonathan Martinez was delayed due to referee Herb Dean having to get a close look at Martinez’s toenails.

Someone cageside could be heard on the broadcast saying that a doctor wanted Dean to check the 30-year-old’s toenails.

After obliging, Dean was heard saying, “I’m not going to clip those now.”

Joe Rogan, a color commentator on UFC broadcasts, was taken aback by the scene.

“I’ve never seen that before,” Rogan said.

Jonathan Martinez (r.) fights Marcus McGhee (l.) in a bantamweight bout at UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

Marcus McGhee (l.) lands a hook to the body of Jonathan Martinez (r.) at UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

Former UFC light Heavyweight and heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier, also on commentary, concurred that he had never seen that previously.

Ultimately, the delay was very short and the bantamweight fight proceeded.

Martinez lost the fight to McGhee after falling 29-28 — two rounds to one — on all three scorecards.

The card was headlined by Jon Jones defending his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic, with Jones winning via third-round TKO after downing Miocic with a spinning back kick.