MMA pundits were left scratching their head after this Bellator fight scorecard exposed how one judge got things so wrong.
Cuban fighter Yoel Romero was left fuming after his Bellator debut against former light heavyweight champion Phil Davis on Sunday.
The American defeated Romero via split decision at Bellator 266 in San Jose, with judges scoring the fight 30-27, 28-29, 30-26.
But drama erupted moments after the main event, with Romero seemingly believing the fight had five rounds, not three.
Watch UFC 266: Volkanovski vs Ortega live on Main Event, available on Foxtel and Kayo on Sunday 26th September at 12pm AEST. ORDER NOW >
The 44-year-old shook his head and wagged his finger as the in-cage announcer revealed the results.
Davis’ wrestling proved the difference on Sunday, with the 36-year-old dominating his opponent on the ground in the third round, during which he took down Romero four times.
Although Romero managed to land a couple of heavy blows in the second round, Davis was undeniably the victor – but not according to judge Jerin Valel.
MMA pundits were baffled when an image of the official scorecard was shared on social media, showing Valel had given the fight to Romero.
MMA writer Ben Fowlkes tweeted: “Jerin Valel has some explaining to do.”
It was Romero’s fourth consecutive MMA defeat, having most recently lost to New Zealand phenom Israel Adesanya at UFC 248 in March 2020.
Romero left the UFC in December to sign with Bellator.
Meanwhile, Davis has now won four of his last five fights. He most recently fell to Bellator light heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov in April’s Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix quarterfinals.
“He’s a monster,” Davis said after Sunday’s victory. “I felt that power more times than I wished I had tonight.
“God bless wrestling. Best sport in the world.”
He later told MMA Junkie: “I’m very exhausted. It’s weird. (Romero) sets an interesting tempo. He has lots of movement, lots of feints, everything power. My boxing coach would always say, ‘You’ve got to take some punches just to keep him honest’.
“Nothing keeps you honest. He’s all power, all business.”
Bellator 266 results
Phil Davis def. Yoel Romero via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-26)
Neiman Gracie def. Mark Lemminger via TKO (punches) – R1, 1:27
DeAnna Bennett def. Alejandra Lara via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
Saul Rogers def. Georgi Karakhanyan via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
Ben Parrish def. Christian Edwards via KO (punches) – R1, 0:38
Alex Polizzi def. Grant Neal via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Anthony Adams def. Khalid Murtazaliev via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Bobby Seronio III def. Socrates Hernandez via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-26, 29-26)
Abraham Vaesau def. Albert Gonzales via KO (strikes) – R1, 2:17
Shane Keefe def. Rhalan Gracie via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Edwin De Los Santos def. Jon Adams via TKO (strikes) – R1, 3:29
Jesse Delgado def. Joshua Dillon via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
