UFC 208 generated another round of controversy which involved the judges' verdicts in two of its main event matchups.
Anderson Silva broke a 4-fight losing streak and one no-contest dating back to Oct 2012 in winning via unanimous decision over Derek Brunson while Germaine de Randamie defeated Holly Holm also via unanimous decision to become the first UFC Women's featherweight champion.
But most pundits, fans, and even fellow fighters are in total disagreement, most especially in the women's bout.
SILVA. At 41, there's no denying that Silva is in the twilight years of his career.
But Brunson sure looked like he was facing a prime Silva as he appeared intimidated in the first few rounds.
During clinches he was able to control the action with his superior strength, but he was painfully tentative in the striking department and Silva got away with looking good for the judges with his flashier moves.
To be fair, when he let his hands go he did land the harder punches especially in the last round.
One judge had it 30-27 for the "Spider" which was improbable so you can't blame Brunson for complaining and taking his case to social media.
GDR. De Randamie is the newest UFC champion but unfortunately most people ( this Last Rounder included) thought Holm deserved the nod.
It was a tough, closely fought bout but by most accounts, Holly had the edge in rounds 3-5.
Unfortunately the scores all came in at 48-47 all for GDR.
Another cause for controversy was the failure of referee Todd Anderson to dock points off from GDR for landing shots after the bell in rounds 2 and 3.
Had he done so, fortunes would have dramatically changed as Holm could potentially have gotten a draw or won the fight.
Well, you know what they say about controversial decisions- that's just another reason to do it again.
NO WAY OUT. Speaking of MMA, we have a local event here at the New Cebu Coliseum this coming Saturday Feb 18 which I hope you can support.
With so much talent available but with a dearth in events, this MMA extravaganza featuring an Octagon cage is very welcome news for fans.
Hats off to the indefatigable Master Ekin Caniga of Yawyan Ardigma and the Cebu Extreme Fight League for making this event possible.
VERBATIM. “IEverybody was blowing me up on the phone, ‘what’s wrong with this ref?’
- UFC President Dana White (MMAFIGHTING. com)
LAST ROUND. Are on Atty Dennis Quiokeles and Rommel "Bords" Hapin who recently celebrated their birthdays. Cheers!