Judging in MMA will seemingly never be perfect and in 2022, the complaints regarding decisions feel like they’re rapidly multiplying.
At UFC Vegas 55 a few weeks ago, the main event between Holly Holm and Ketlen Vieira was the hot topic of discussion regarding whether or not the UFC should adopt open scoring. Brazil’s Vieira walked away as the victor of the bout via split decision despite being outstruck in every round but the first. The consensus was that Vieira landed the more damaging blows of the two in key moments but a large portion of the community felt Holm should have been the victor thanks to her volume and control.
Open scoring does not fix the criteria or how a fight was scored. However, it allows fighters and coaches to adjust mid-fight with more knowledge. Everybody has suggestions for how to improve judging. Joe Rogan, a long-time UFC commentator recently shared his views on the subject.
“Maybe there’s a way to score it like you would give points for moments in fights where someone either did damage or someone had control, but control was not worth as much as damage,” Rogan said on his Joe Rogan Experience podcast. “Because you can survive control unscathed. Just because someone has you down maybe in half-guard, and you’re just clinching and controlling, you can survive that for a couple minutes sometimes, and nothing happens. Even though the person’s in control of you, it’s not that big of a deal. But then damage: How much more is damage worth? Like if you see the person gets wobbled or you see like a big, impactful kick, you’re like, ‘Wow, that was a significant moment in the fight. So that would be worth more.’ Instead of being attached to this system. It isn’t comprehensive enough. I don’t believe .”
should be used.
During that episode, Rogan was speaking to current UFC bantamweight titleholder, Aljamain Sterling who was in agreement. Sterling also recently was under fire for his closely contested rematch with Petr Yan at UFC 273. After two rounds of heavy grappling, Sterling won round one with his dominating gripping control.
Funny enough, Rogan’s proposed enhancements on how to score fights already was put in place when the Association of Boxing Commissions made some updates in 2016. While the arguments continue, some argue that it is not an issue of scoring, but rather a question of understanding what the criteria means.
“Effective striking/grappling will be the priority of all round assessments.” Read the unified rules and scoring criteria , as published by the Association of Boxing Commissions. If the judge doesn’t see any advantage in Effective Striking/Grappling, then it is not worth considering Effective Aggressiveness. Cage/Ring Control (‘Plan C’) should only be needed when ALL other criteria are 100% even for both competitors. It is extremely unlikely that this will happen.
“Legal blows that have immediate or cumulative impact with the potential to contribute towards the end of the match with the IMMEDIATE weighing in more heavily than the cumulative impact.
“Successful execution of takedowns, submission attempts, reversals and the achievement of advantageous positions that produce immediate or cumulative impact with the potential to contribute to the end of the match, with the IMMEDIATE weighing more heavily than the cumulative impact.
“It shall be noted that a successful takedown is not merely a changing of position, but the establishment of an attack from the use of the takedown.
“Top and bottom position fighters are assessed more on the impactful/effective result of their actions, more so than their position.
“This criterion will be the deciding factor in a high majority of decisions when scoring a round. The next two criteria must be treated as a backup and used ONLY when Effective Striking/Grappling is 100% equal for the round.”
TOP STORIES
Rivals. Dana White was “sold”, on the Khabib Nurmagomedov-Tony Ferguson TUF Season.
Nope. Jorge Masvidal accuses Herb Dean of bias, never wants him as referee again.
Contenders. Dana White: Joanna Jedrzejczyk vs. Zhang Weili 2 winner will “definitely” fight for UFC title next, not Marina Rodriguez.
Adjustments. Joanna Jedrzejczyk reveals biggest mistake made against Zhang Weili in epic first encounter.
Goals. Erin Blanchfield: Valentina Shevchenko’s “I want be the person that dethroned her .”
VIDEO STEW
UFC 275 Media Day.
UFC 275 Media Day Staredowns.
Road to UFC 1 & 2 Official Weigh-in Highlights.
Jon Anik previews UFC 275 with MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck.
UFC 275 Embedded 2.
Rise of Jiri Prochazka.
The Problem With Deiveson Figueiredo’s Ultimatum To the UFC ….
LISTEN UP
Fighter vs. Writer. MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin chats with Valentina Shevchenko and Lauren Murphy.
Heck of a Morning. MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck discusses Devieson Figueiredo’s gripe with the UFC, Joanna Jedrzejczyk’s title hopes with UFC 275 win, and more.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Face off.
The first face off of fight week
[ #UFC275 | Saturday | Live on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/SZsrcLWPkT ] pic.twitter.com/EP4jtgcw1o
— UFC (@ufc) June 7, 2022
Calm just before the storm.
Glover knew Jiri was next up after claiming the light heavyweight title #UFC275
(via @ufc) pic.twitter.com/4srcnQsNqh
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) June 7, 2022
Volume.
Last time Weili and Joanna squared off, they set the record for most significant strikes in a women’s UFC fight. #UFC275 pic.twitter.com/nrDTMpoFyG
— MMA On Point (@OnPointMMA) June 7, 2022
Belal responds.
Lol didn’t u pull out of our first flight clown who’s running ..: it’s funny u got twitter fingers now but went silent when @handzofsteelmma was calling ..there’s 4 guys above me without a fight I’m tryin to fight https://t.co/j5hOwZmjV4
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) June 6, 2022
Poster boys.
Oi Oi!
Your official #UFCLondon poster has just dropped!
We’ll see you on July 23! pic.twitter.com/yirf5sGo1e
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) June 7, 2022
Slight shade.
USADA loves me. Got tested again in about 2 weeks time span. They aren’t testing like this overseas, I bet you that. You still win!
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) June 7, 2022
Damn.
Took that soccer kick like it’s nothing pic.twitter.com/vRukFBPade
— Matysek (@Matysek88) June 7, 2022
Adorable Joanna.
Trooper DC.
Through disappointment, a true champion was formed in @gloverteixeira. He is on the verge of his first title defense against the dangerous @jirkaprochazka. We discuss on DC&RC today. Oh yeah, 17 hours of flying and still came straight to do the show. @espnmma YouTube pic.twitter.com/acaPSUYX3O
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) June 7, 2022
Golden.
Great 2 hours with Triple C @HenryCejudo ! Learned a lot! Just 2 olympic champs working! #GWOAT #tripleC #henrycejudo #mma pic.twitter.com/JdWWLUVD4O
— Claressa Gwoat Shields (@Claressashields) June 7, 2022
All I see is @Claressashields pic.twitter.com/ta3MIjc9c6
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) June 7, 2022
Wait wut
Did this man just submitted himself? #popMMA pic.twitter.com/OCuByZcQ4q
— Matysek (@Matysek88) June 7, 2022
Scrap Pack.
I’ve been training with my crew Since we were just teenagers @GilbertMelendez @NateDiaz209 pic.twitter.com/9V81nYqoAC
— Jake Shields (@jakeshieldsajj) June 7, 2022
Old KSW frenemies unite!
Jin Ri Si haSi woOu tsutaNan woJian tsukemashita
Jin Ri haYou Da desu ATT TEAM pic.twitter.com/5mz443vfN1
— kleber koike (@KoikeKleber) June 7, 2022
Records.
Valentina Shevchenko is looking to defend her title for a 7th time at #UFC275.
Most title defenses in UFC Women’s History:
Nunes: 7 (5 in W BW, 2 in W FW)
Shevchenko: 6
Rousey: 6— Jed I. Goodman (c) (@jedigoodman) June 8, 2022
Quite the salesman.
I’m sold. pic.twitter.com/mE726Lk6Bn
— Borrachinha Depot (@FullContactMTWF) June 7, 2022
Love the big trophy.
When in Singapore.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Tabatha Ricci (7-1) vs. Cheyanne Vlismas (7-2); UFC Fight Night, Oct. 1
FINAL THOUGHTS
Maybe Joe was just trying out a new comedy bit…? Thanks for the reading and happy humpday!
EXIT POLL
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