UFC welterweight contender Gilbert Burns is calling for judging reform after a controversial split decision verdict over the weekend.
Like many fans, Burns, who holds the No. 2 spot in the UFC welterweight rankings, was watching Saturday’s UFC Vegas 14 card. Unfortunately, he was left with a bad taste in his mouth after the card’s main event, which pitted Rafael dos Anjos against short-notice replacement opponent Paul Felder.
While Felder fought valiantly in this contest, the widespread perception was that dos Anjos was the clear winner after five rounds. So, when cage-side judge Chris Lee scored the fight for Felder, creating a split decision, there was a fair bit of backlash—including some choice words from Burns.
Fuck these judges! I’m always looking for the finish but sometimes it’s hard these judges are doing a terrible job wow please @danawhite @ufc or whoever can help Please we cannot have our payments be decided (1 or 2 checks) by these crazy judges 🤯🤯🤯 that’s insane #UFCVegas14
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) November 15, 2020
#UFCVegas14 lessons RDA is a 155 top 5 not 170, Felder is a warrior and one judge is terrible at his job
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) November 15, 2020
Who da fook is that guy? Chris Lee? https://t.co/JYG67eVTBa
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) November 15, 2020
“F**k these judges,” a frustrated Burns wrote on Twitter. “I’m always looking for the finish but sometimes it’s hard. These judges are doing a terrible job, wow. Please [Dana White, UFC], or whoever can help, please we cannot have our payments be decided (1 or 2 checks) by these crazy judges. That’s insane.
[UFC Vegas 14] lessons: RDA is a 155 top-5, not 170, Felder is a warrior, and one judge is terrible at his job,” Burns added.
“Who da fook is that guy?” Burns added in a Tweet that included the scorecards for the fight. “Chris Lee?”
What do you think of these complaints from Gilbert Burns? Does MMA judging need an overhaul?