Judging and scoring in MMA has been quite a hot topic among the community following Holly Holm’s split-decision loss to Ketlen Vieira this past Saturday night in the UFC Vegas 55 main event.
For a headliner bout that a lot of fans seemed to hate on beforehand, it sure has resulted in plenty of heated opinions and conversation. In most cases, there’s been the strong belief that one side rightfully won over the other with those on Team Holm claiming robbery. In reality, it was a close fight that does create an interesting look into the criteria with Holm outstriking and controlling Vieira throughout their five rounds, but Vieira did more damage and got closer to finishing.
There are many ways to interpret this score, but it doesn’t mean that the entire fight was. UFC fights are scored round-by-round, which can sometimes make stat arguments funny especially when you consider the total strike count for the whole bout.
When it came down to who was closest to the action, Vieira’s coach Andre Pederneiras said to his fighter that she was down by three rounds to 1. While Coach Mike Winkeljohn on the other side agreed and thought they had things in the bag.
“When it went to the scorecards, we were already planning our celebration,” Winkeljohn told BJPenn.com. We were disappointed that we couldn’t win the fight, although there were many things going on behind-the scenes. However, I thought we won it easily. Definitely expecting a win and was just shocked we lost. We heard the split decision. I was expecting one of the judges to be a fool and that the other would make it right. But, nope. After the fight you saw Holly and Ketlen’s reaction, fighters know, corners know who really won, and you heard your corner in between rounds. That’s all I can say, I’m just disappointed because it’s not fair to the fighters.”
Controversial decision making is not a new concept in combat sports, but it has become more common in recent years. So much so that earlier in the night, there was a good argument to be made for Eryk Anders in his split-decision loss to Park Jun-Yong.
Surely, some adjustments to overall officiating will be made in MMA eventually. It’s just a matter of when, as the UFC isn’t even 30 years old yet, after all.
“Some judges aren’t aware that leg kicks and body kicks can cause injury and they don’t get enough credit. It’s shame,” Winkeljohn stated. It’s unfortunate because it is a possible title shot. In my mind, she should win the one before getting a title shot. Then maybe Holly (Holm), will get into boxing to fight Katie Taylor. It was a wonderful way to close her career, and it’s something that some men are watching .”
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VIDEO STEW
Kevin Holland interview.
In Depth: Valentina Shevchenko vs Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 231.
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LISTEN UP
Fighter vs. Writer. MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin chats with Kevin Holland and Logan Storley.
Heck of a Morning. MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck talks the open scoring debate, Holly Holm not being robbed, and the good (and the bad) of Eagle FC 47.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
I’m almost afraid to do this on Twitter but I have faith in humanity. Caption this: #CaptionThis pic.twitter.com/qG5Ppiu1Gd
— Kayla Harrison (@KaylaH) May 24, 2022
Dancing queens.
Character building.
Soon.
// #ufc275 pic.twitter.com/QZykbBFdef
— Jiri BJP Prochazka (@jiri_bjp) May 24, 2022
Why does MMA appear more violent than sand fighting?
MMA + Sand
This is STRELKA Fighting Championship pic.twitter.com/tvXBl7TTW8
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Angles.
Check out this insane alternate angle of Rodtang vs. @MightyMouse #WeAreONE #ONEChampionship pic.twitter.com/mze30gFFhF
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Fancy quiz.
Quiz for ya… fighter A takes fighter B down with a high crotch, lifts him and slams him down but fighter B gets IMMEDIATELY up. Fighter B takes fighter A down with a bodylock trip and controls A on the ground for 2 minutes. Literally, nothing happens during the round. The winner?
— Laura Sanko (@laura_sanko) May 24, 2022
Easy.
#UFC276 , I’m gonna make it look easy. pic.twitter.com/TtldcDMv2V
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Selfie time.
I love sleeping in Johnny’s t shirts! So cozy! #Cozy #CuteSelfie #LoveMyMan pic.twitter.com/HLA6z1u43L
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When in New York.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Renan Barao (34-9) vs. William Gomis (9-2); ARES FC 7, June 25
Marc Diakiese (15-5) vs. Damir Hadzovic (14-6); UFC London, July 23
FINAL THOUGHTS
I don’t think open scoring removes drama from fight results. It actually creates a different variation by allowing a losing fighter to know and have the option to further adjust their gameplan to do everything they can to win. We already know that coasting can be costly and sometimes it even costs fighters who believe they are winning. Invicta FC has been using open scoring for about a year and a half now or so and this hasn’t at all been something to complain about. Admittedly, their event number sample size has still been relatively small.
Ultimately, coasting and only “fighting to win” comes down to risking half your paycheck in the UFC. Dana and her friends could have eliminated win bonuses and raised the base salary, so you don’t need to be concerned about them. Fighters would also not worry as much about the performance bonuses. In theory, of course… We know that will never happen anyway.
Thanks for reading!
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