Did Shamrock get screwed in Pride 30?

[Digi]

I got the chance to watch the match the other night, and it seemed totally shady. Ken did stumble, but he wasn't ko'ed. I'm not an expert, but when most fighters gets ko'ed usually:

1. The eyes either roll to the back of the head or the fighter is left with a blank expression and:

2. The hands either drop or remain in a locked position, and either.
a. He/She topples over at that spot or,
b. The legs go out, and he/she drops to the ground.

Ken is a tough guy. If Ken was stumbling to keep his balance, he was still conscious. After about 30 Pride Events, most referees should notice that pattern or something similar. I'm a big fan of Sakuraba, but seeing that he's a favorite over in Japan (plus he needs a win), and Nobuhiko Takada's involvement in PRIDE, I'm guessing that "politics" was to blame for the ref's actions in that match. What do you all think? :karate:

[Luebbers]

I'm inclined to agree. I also think Shamrock got screwed by that call. I wish he would have taken it a little more gracefully, but I understand his reaction. I'm all for fighter safety, and I'd rather see a fight stopped too soon than too late, but a referee of that caliber should have known to at least let that go on a little longer. Sakuraba still could have finished him off, or Ken could have recovered. The fact that it's Pride's favorite poster child who needed a win against a big name makes me all the more suspicious.

[Dennis Monk]

I haven't had a chance to see this event yet. Knowing that Ken Shamrock got beat again (by hook or by crook) makes me want to watch it.

[Luebbers]

You'll no doubt be impressed, as usual, by his ever present polite, collected, and sportsmanlike attitude in and out of the ring.

[Dennis Monk]

You'll no doubt be impressed, as usual, by his ever present polite, collected, and sportsmanlike attitude in and out of the ring.
Yeah, I can imagine.