The referee involved in the fight between Joao Carvalho and Charlie Ward has revealed there was "no reason to stop the fight" before he did.

Speaking to The Star, Mariusz Domasat revealed the fight was stopped at the right time. "I stopped the fight when there was a reason to stop the fight, when the fighter wasn't willing to fight anymore, that's it. Everyone who has any idea about MMA knows the fight was stopped at the exact proper time."

Carvalho died on Monday night after spending almost 48 hours in the Beaumont Hospital after the bout. He initially left the ring on Saturday but began to feel unwell minutes after the loss.

Domasat defended his own qualifications in the aftermath of the fight. "I am an experienced referee and part of the Irish Amateur Pankration Association of Safe MMA and I know what I'm doing."

Event organisers Total Extreme Fighting revealed on Tuesday that all the proper procedures were undertaken after the fight. "Joao was assessed by doctors and medical staff at the onsite medical office as per normal procedure.  It was determined that he should be sent to hospital. In hospital he received emergency treatment and transferred to ICU later that evening."

The IAPA have yet to comment on the incident since their initial statement paying their condolences to the Carvalho family.