Some of UFC’s recent judges’ decisions have been very hard to digest for everyone in the MMA community. More often than not, the experienced UFC judges make the right decisions in deciding the winners. However, some decisions end up sparking huge debates in the entire MMA community. Similar was the case with the main event of UFC Vegas 74.
The match in question featured flyweight contenders Kai Kara-France and Amir Albazi. The outcome of this fight could potentially determine the next challenger for the flyweight title, making it all the more significant. When the final bell rang, the judges rendered a controversial split decision, awarding the victory to Albazi. This decision immediately sparked an eruption of anger and frustration within the MMA community.
Among those expressing their disappointment was Israel Adesanya, a teammate of Kara-France and one of the UFC’s biggest stars. The decision visibly frustrated the UFC middleweight champion. Adesanya uploaded a video on his YouTube channel, where he reacted to the fight in question. Recently, he addressed this again at ‘The MMA Hour’ with Ariel Helwani.
ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad
Israel Adesanya bashes UFC judges and demands a huge change!
First, Adesanya started by recalling his reaction in his YouTube vlog. “I was pissed off, I was really pissed off, I didn’t express it too much on the camera, I just walked off. I was like, ‘Please don’t do this to my boy’.”
‘Izzy’ heavily criticized the judges of the fight and demanded a big change in UFC fights. He called for an increase in the judges’ accountability for their decisions.
According to the UFC champion, the people judging fights should sit at the post-fight press conferences and explain their decisions. “After a decision like this, I demand… the judges need to be held accountable. They are taking the livelihood of great men. Put them on the post-fight press conference! They need to be held accountable and explain why was this decision you made.”
ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad
After Debuting on Netflix Show, Israel Adesanya Sparks ‘The Boys’ Rumors Linking Up With Erin Moriarty
Afterward, Ariel Helwani was a bit pessimistic about this change. According to him, the sports commissions protect these judges and would never allow them to publicly explain their decisions.
Several times in the past, MMA fans have berated judges for their controversial decisions. Not just that, even referees have been questioned because their judgments inside the octagon can have some big implications for fighters.
ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad
Watch This Story – Who Will Israel Adesanya Fight After UFC 287?
What are your thoughts about this? Should the UFC hold its judges accountable for their decisions? Do let us know in the comments below.