The welterweight bout between Brandon Rios and Diego Chaves on Saturday had all the trappings of a classic fight, with both fighters known to be brawlers. But their fight might as well happen inside an MMA ring.

Seeing headlocks, headbutts and takedowns, referee Vic Drakulich stopped the fight at the ninth round and disqualified Chaves for a takedown on Rios, who won his second bout since losing to Manny Pacquiao last year.

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Chaves appeared to initiate the takedown which Drakulich saw and the referee appeared he had enough of both men's antics in a fight characterized by the fouls made by both boxers.

Chaves (23-2-1) had been repeatedly warned after committing fouls during the second round, as Drakulich then took a point away on Chaves in the succeeding round for holding. After that, the match slowly turned into a brawl.

In the sixth round, Drakulich warned both fighters for butting heads, warning he would call off the fight should the antics don't stop.

"I've had enough of both of you," he said.

Chaves lost another point after pushing Rios' face with his gloves.

Drakulich halted the match in the ninth after both fighters hit the canvas, as Chaves took down Rios.

Rios (32-2-1) claimed Chaves tried to poke his eyes while in a headlock.

Both men likewise claimed that Drakulich did not properly communicate with them as to why points are being deducted.

Through an interpreter, Chaves said he wanted to fight Rios again but organizers should "replace the referee because this was a disgrace what happened to me."

Tagsmanny pacquiao, Pacman, Brandon Rios, Diego Chaves, Boxing