Unfortunately, aside from just impressive fights, UFC 131 was known for its bad judging.
Questionable judging is becoming more of a factor in MMA these days and UFC President Dana White wasn’t shy in discussing his displeasure with Saturday’s results in certain bouts.
Darren Elkins’ unanimous-decision victory over Michihiro Omigawa – which came by scores of 29-28, 29-28 and 30-27 in the event’s first contest – prompted UFC president Dana White to pay both fighters as if they won the bout.
“Overruled,” he said when asked about the decision.
White added that the judge who gave Elkins a 30-27 score should never be allowed to judge again.
Well, according to MMAJunkie.com, the Vancouver Athletic Commission has stepped out to defend itself.
The backlash from White and fans actually prompted a review of UFC 131 scorecards by the Vancouver Athletic Commission, and on Monday, a representative for the regulatory body issued a statement in defense of the fight’s scoring.
Jonathan Tweedale, a commissioner and communications officer for the VAC, focused on the fight’s second round in the statement and said that given its action, judges could “reasonably warrant awarding the round to Elkins.”
“An argument can be made in favor of either fighter,” the statement read. “Elkins landed more punches. At one point, when Omigawa came forward, he was stopped dead in his tracks by Elkins’ combination punches, and at another point, he was slightly buckled. Due to Omigawa’s unusual stance and balance, it was difficult to tell exactly whether he was rocked by some of these shots.
“However, you could see Omigawa’s leg bend and the control shift to Elkins as he landed the combo, stopping Omigawa in his tracks, taking the center of the cage, and going on the attack again.”
It isn’t a good thing when the general public can clearly determine a winner, but three hired judges can’t. The 10-point must system leaves the door open for questionable results in MMA bouts, but even in Saturday’s cases, that shouldn’t have been a factor.
Hopefully soon, MMA can hammer down a better judging system, or turn to something that won’t lead to so much human error.
