More Fallout From UFC 86
by Robert Sargent
Less than two days after the extremely controversial finish to UFC 86, Juanito Ibarra, trainer for Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, has launched an official appeal of the decision after learning exactly how two judges scored the bout.
Traditionally horrid judge Adelaide Byrd, along with Nelson Hamilton, gave round one to Forrest Griffin, despite the fact that he was dropped by an uppercut and landed no power shots.
While Ibarra understands that the likelihood of the decision being overturned is extremely slim, his actions are completely justified, given the nature in which the event ended and how the fight was scored.
Most observers seem to be in agreement that the fight could easily have been scored as a Draw and that neither fighter should have won by more than one point. Many, including Griffin supporters, believe that Jackson won the fight, especially given the fact that the onus is on the challenger to dominate the champion in order to capture a title.
When scores of 49-46, 48-46 and 48-46 were read, all in favour of Griffin, numerous red flags were immediately raised. How judges could score the fight that poorly, especially with the 49-46 score, was rather appalling. Now that it has emerged that Byrd and Hamilton awarded the first round to Griffin - a completely ridiculous gaffe - questions as to the legitimacy of the scoring of the bout only intensify.
While MMA scoring differs from boxing, a key rule in boxing is that a knockdown in a round almost always results in the round being scored 10-8 in favour of the fighter who scored the knockdown. Jackson dropped Griffin with a hard uppercut in the first round, and also landed a number of other power shots, yet two judges not only failed to award him with a 10-8 round, they did not give the round to him at all.
That is absurd.
"You have to beat the champion," Ibarra stated, repeatedly. He is entirely correct. In order to capture a major world title, the challenger must definitively beat the champion. That did not happen. Not even close.
Fighters and analysts watching the fight have mixed views on what transpired, but everyone involved concedes that both fighters failed to execute or display skills that would likely have turned the tides in the fight. Jackson did not use his speed and explosiveness, save for periods in round one before his knee was injured. Griffin's wrestling was never really a factor.
What all can take solace in is the fact that an immediate rematch is apparently forthcoming. According to Ibarra, he requested and received the rematch from UFC President Dana White and co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta immediately after the decision was read.
However, even a rematch does not erase what happened on Saturday night, nor will it do anything to restore the faith that many have lost in not only the credibility of judging in MMA but credibility in MMA, period. The controversy surrounding the fight, and calls of corruption, is simply too great to ignore.
Jackson again remained respectful of his opponent, claiming that Griffin had earned his respect by even surviving three rounds, but now firmly believes that he won the fight. Many agree, including myself.
Jackson promised not to leave a future fight in the hands of the judges, and stated that he intended to end a rematch with Griffin quickly with his right hand.
One must also feel for Griffin, who did nothing wrong and fought an intelligent fight. His reign as champion began with a chorus of boos and significant outcry from fans and fighters alike, and has been shrouded in a cloud of controversy.
Griffin is a humble, respectful and driven competitor, and should by no means be faulted for the actions of the judges scoring the fight. However, until he definitively defeats Jackson, it is difficult to see Griffin as anything more than the beneficiary of horrendous scoring, giving him an undeserved title.
