The events of UFC 305 sparked a lot of controversy, with an aura of confusion and mystery surrounding the evening, not only due to the fighters’ performances but also because of the judges’ decisions, which surprised both fans and observers alike.
The night was full of surprises, notably the victory of South African fighter Dricus du Plessis, as well as an unexpected return during the event, adding a special dimension to the occasion.
"Drikus du Plessis is crowned the sole African champion in the organization!" 🇿🇦 l'#UFC305."
"دريكس دو بلسيه يتوج كبطل أفريقي وحيد في المنظمة!" 🇿🇦 '#UFC305."
"Drikus du Plessis est couronné comme le seul champion africain de l'organisation !" 🇿🇦 l'#UFC305." pic.twitter.com/HET7BGjtDQ
— mmamag.ma (@jamalsoussi10) August 18, 2024
One of the most controversial moments was Tai Tuivasa’s unexpected defeat to Jairzinho Rozenstruik, where Rozenstruik was declared the winner by split decision after a hard-fought battle.
What’s strange is that one of the judges, Howie Booth, awarded the victory to Tuivasa with a score of 30-27, causing shock and disbelief among the audience.
This is not the first time that judging decisions have been questioned at UFC events, but what happened at UFC 305 had a particular impact, with conflicting decisions that cast doubt on the fairness and transparency of the results. What made matters worse were the statements made by journalist Kevin Iole, who mentioned that the Australian Mixed Martial Arts Commission felt embarrassed by some of the decisions made during the evening.
This growing controversy raises many questions about judging criteria in combat sports and how inconsistent decisions can affect fighters’ careers and the reputation of the responsible organizations. It seems that the UFC needs to reconsider its systems and mechanisms to ensure the integrity of competitions, otherwise, it risks facing more criticism and challenges in the future.
