.Brett Okamoto, ESPN Personnel WriterSep 28, 2024, 12:07 AM ETCloseMMA correspondent for ESPN.com.Expert for "MMA Live".Covered MMA for Las Vegas SunEnglish fighter Sandy Ryan accused Mikaela Mayer, her challenger in a name struggle Friday night in New york city, of orchestrating a pre-fight stunt through which Ryan was struck by a paint can as she left her resort earlier in the evening.Ryan (7-2-1, 3 KOs) dropped her WBO welterweight title to Mayer (20-2, 5 KOs) by large number selection, with the courts racking up the bout 95-95, 97-93 and also 96-94. The leadup to the fight at Madison Square Garden was actually greatly personal for both, as Ryan had actually been teaming up with Mayer's previous long time trainer Kay Koroma. Mayer parted methods with Koroma when he decided to team up with Ryan, a technique she saw as a betrayal.Editor's PicksAs Ryan left her hotel for the site Friday, she was actually hit by an available paint can easily from an unknown man. She stated she really felt one thing "smash" in to her belly, and afterwards saw a man in a hoodie go to an auto as well as repel. Ryan was actually uninjured and also advanced to the site after altering clothing in her hotel room.She and her team told ESPN they believed it was a member of Mayer's camp, an allegation Mayer has actually denied." Mikaela Mayer is actually going to acquire it," Ryan claimed before the match. "It was actually certainly a setup from her group. What else will it be? It is actually come to be actually. I am actually coming from the U.K. That recognized what opportunity I was appearing of my resort to head to the site?" Mayer, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, got better from a split decision reduction to Natasha Jones in January. Ryan was actually searching for her second win this year.