Robert Brizel Editorial: Joe Rogan and Rotten MMA Judging at UFC 247 Deep in Heart of Texas

By Robert Brizel, Real Combat Media Boxing and MMA Correspondent

 

The 1841 song ‘Deep in the Heart of Texas’ is an American popular standard, lyrics by June Hershey, music by Don Swander, later popularized in 2003 by country music star George Strait.

 





Rotten MMA judging in Texas is a reference to UFC 247 televised on ESPN at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, on February 8, 2020, popularized recently by controversial UFC commentator Joe Rogan. Certainly, unpopular and rotten televised decisions have always plagued professional boxing, which has always favored the hometown fighter, the promoter’s fighter, and publicly favored fighter. The 14th light heavyweight title victory by UFC world champion Jon ‘Bones’ Jones over Dominick Reyes lit the fire in what Rogan and most observers felt was a controversial decision which stunk out the house.

 

When it all gets down to the nitty gritty down and dirty side of sports, MMA has proven itself at times to be no different, at least in terms of public perception. Rogan went emotionally blunt after the main event, stating “I can’t argue about this enough. I can’t get angry enough. I’ve done it (gotten angry after witnessing bad MMA decisions) so many times. For anyone to think that (the championship bout was scored) was 4-1 (for) Jon Jones, that person’s insane! They’re (the judges are) insane. Dominick Reyes put on a hell of a fight tonight, and to disrespect that performance by that kind of judging (biased judging in favor of Jon Jones) is insane.” The general public appears to remain on Rogan’s side.

 

During a female flyweight preliminary fight between Lauren Murphy and Andrea Lee, a razor close but questionable split decision win by Murphy now being appealed by Lee in Texas,  where most ringside observers felt Ms. Lee had won, commentators Joe Rogan and Dominic Cruz accused one of the judges of spending more time looking at their cellphone, or looking at the floor.

 

Rogan sounded his horn after a ringside computer crashed. When the bizarre scene was solved, Andre ‘Mr. Highlight’ Ewell was awarded an obviously rotten decision over Jonathan Martinez which Martinez clearly won. One judge gave Ewell all three rounds. Rogan replied “That’s ridiculous! Anybody saying that that is three rounds to Ewell, that is criminal! That’s criminal! Martinez put in an excellent performance! He had Ewell hurt on several occasions in two rounds, kicked him to the body, took his legs out, had Ewell fighting his game, (and) showed excellent defense. I’m stunned.”

 

The Texas Department of Licensure and Regulation, which oversees regulation of mixed martial arts events in Texas, issued a statement in response (to MMA Junkie) in response to the blatant public outcome to several MMA bouts which featured bad judging.

 

“As in all athletic events, athletes, teams, judges, fans and media representatives can and often do have differing opinions about what (has) happened in a combative sports match,” commission spokesperson Tela Mange stated in response. “The Texas Department of Licensure and Regulation applauds the passion everyone is exhibiting about this sport. Comments have been made about the selection of the judges and the referees. In selecting ringside officials, the TDLR takes into consideration recommendations made by the UFC. As with all (sporting) events (regulated), the TDLR works closely with UFC and other promoters to ensure (oversee) the quality and experience of referees and judges to protect the health and safety of the fighters.”

 

However, this statement does not go far enough to address the outcome when rotten scoring does occur, and how to rectify the situation, either with retraining of ringside judges involved, review and overturning outcomes, or declaring a No contest and ordering rematches where the judging has clearly been unfair and wrong. Every athletic commission has its set of rules, and despite the concept of uniformity between the American states and worldwide, abides by different criterion in judging at boxing, MMA and other sporting events. Deep in the heart of Texas, MMA judging needs a deeper look to ascend to a world class level of evaluation, better than it is now. Joe Rogan has a valid point. Athletic commissions need to do it better and smoother, or public outcry can shame the sport.









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