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GLENDALE, AZ – JUNE 12: Referee Herb Dean during UFC 263 on June 12, 2021, at Gila River Arena in Glendale, AZ. (Photo by Louis Grasse/PxImages/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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GLENDALE, AZ – JUNE 12: Referee Herb Dean during UFC 263 on June 12, 2021, at Gila River Arena in Glendale, AZ. (Photo by Louis Grasse/PxImages/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
UFC Austin witnessed incredible fights and multiple knockouts. The fight between Damir Ismagulov and Guram Kutateladze was no less. But the judges’ decision left fans and fighters confused.
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Kutateladze was the underdog going into the fight that started with the two fighters throwing light jabs at each other and feeling their range. The first round started off close, with the duo displaying phenomenal striking. Kutateladze then dominated the striking exchanges and all Ismagulov could do was try to dodge.
Ismagulov countered Kutateladze and got the better of him in round 2 after using his jab as a weapon. ‘Georgian Viking’ attempted to take down Ismagulov but wasn’t able to complete it.
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Round 3 was also close as the two strikers exchanged blow for blow. When Bruce Buffer announced the decision, the entire stadium was shocked. The judges scored the contest 30-27, 28-28, and 29-28 for Ismagulov.
The fans and fighters reacted to the strange UFC Austin decision
Fans were quick to react to this decision on Twitter. Most of them were shocked and couldn’t believe that one of the judges had scored the contest 30-27. Most of them thought Kutateladze had done enough to win the bout.
I thought the first round was clearly for Guram. Bullshit decision #UFCAustin
— sedratn (@sedratn) June 19, 2022
#UFCAustin DID NOT AT ALL AGREE W/ that decision for Ismagulov.
— NeGgRa (@NeGgRa3000) June 19, 2022
I think guram won that, fuck you herb dean #Ufcaustin
— Anub1s (@Anub1s_MMA) June 19, 2022
Weird ass scorecards…..30-27, 29-28 and 28-28. I mean….get a grip 🤣 #UFCAustin
— Marcel Dorff 🇳🇱🇮🇩 (@BigMarcel24) June 19, 2022
Even fighter Belal Muhammad reacted to the scoring.
How did he win the first 30-27 is way off
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) June 19, 2022
Some fans were also mad at referee Herb Dean because of the knee-to-head incident. This happened when Kutateladze threw a knee which, according to Dean, connected to the head of Ismagulov. But on watching the replay, this was not the case and the incident only bought time for Ismagulov to recover.
I think guram won that, fuck you herb dean #Ufcaustin
— Anub1s (@Anub1s_MMA) June 19, 2022
The commentators later clarified that there was a mistake on the scorecard. The judge actually scored Kutateladze 29-28 and not 28-28. This would mean that Ismagulov won the fight via split decision.
The broadcast clarifies that the last decision should have been read as a split decision with Guram receiving a 29-28 scorecard rather than a 28-28.
The first and only time where "it should have been a split" is factual.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) June 19, 2022
With this split decision win, Ismagulov extended his winning streak to 19 fights and now has a professional record of 24-1-0. He is currently undefeated in the UFC with 5 wins. This is a big step in his career and he will be a fighter to watch out for in the lightweight division.
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What did you think of this decision? Do you agree with the judges? Who do you think won? Let us know by dropping your opinions in the comments below.
Written by
Edited by
Reubyn Coutinho