Mathematics strikes again. A computation error on the judges’ score cards meant the inaugural night for Flyweights ended in controversy for which the UFC quickly made amends.
The Ian McCall-Mighty Mouse Johnson should have been declared a draw. Instead, Johnson was awarded the bout and McCall stormed out of the octagon. In the post-fight press conference Dana White declared the fight was a draw. Ironically, a sudden victory round was instituted for this mini-tournament and would have been used to decide the winner.
Via MMA Junkie:
Initially, Johnson was declared the winner via 28-29, 29-28 and 29-28 scores. Later, Johnson was declared the majority-decision victor via 29-28, 29-29 and 29-28 scores. However, according to a commission official, one judge had scored the final round 10-8, which was overlooked during tabulations. So the final scores were 28-28, 29-29, 29-28 (Johnson got the 29-28 score).
Dana White via Fuel TV:
“Fortunately, controversy has stuck to us like glue lately. These things happen. Human error happens. The Johnson vs. McCall fight was not scored properly. The fight was a draw and in the case of a draw, the fight is supposed to go to a fourth round. I don’t even know what to say. The commission has taken responsibility.”
Payout Perspective:
The scoring error was an embarrassment. Even though the commission takes responsibility, its still a Zuffa event and reflects poorly on a judging system that is perpetually under scrutiny. A simple check…and recheck of the scores should have revealed the draw. This is a bad start to what should be an otherwise exciting division. If you are looking on the bright side, there will be a rematch of what was a great match (and won FOTN honors). But, it does delay the planning for the Flyweight final. Fortunately, Zuffa was quick with addressing the issue and will move forward. However, it has to look into the protocol for calculating scores. Perhaps calculators, or a refresher on basic math.
And people say this only happens in boxing. I think not.
UFC is just as messed up.
Sampson,
Naturally the UFC is just as messed up…because it has to rely on the same commissions. This was the commissioner’s error. He made a mistake in adding up the judges scorecards. It’s not the fault of the promoter.
The real shame is that the UFC had planned for the possibility of a draw by instituting a 4th round. That would have been an edge-of-your-seat round that we were deprived of.