UFC 2023: The number one promotion in MMA has served up some incredible events in 2023. Arguably the best event happened last weekend at UFC 290. However, not everything goes smoothly even with the best in business. So we look back at the year and see which were the most controversial judges’ decisions in the UFC in 2023. For more combat sports news, follow Insidesport.IN.
UFC decisions are some of the most debated topics in combat sports. However, these have nothing to do with the promotion itself. Instead, the athletic commission appoints the judges. Therefore, the UFC has no control over it. As a result, we will always have some questionable decisions in MMA. Here’s our list of the five worst in 2023.
UFC 2023: Top 5 Controversial Judges Decision in 2023 So Far
Top Five Most Controversial Decisions in 2023
5. Islam Makhachev vs Alexander Volkanovski
At number five is one of the most debated decisions of this year. Makhachev and Volkanovski competed at UFC 284 in Australia with many giving the Australian no chance. However, he managed to surpass expectations and hurt the Russian on several occasions. And although Makhachev got him on the ground a few times, the Russian could not do much damage thanks to Volkanovski’s great defense. The featherweight champion even ended the fight better than the Russian. Despite this, Makhachev took home a unanimous decision win, with one judge giving him four rounds.
4. Andrea Lee vs Maycee Barber:
Fourth on our list is the Women’s flyweight bout between Andrea Lee and Maycee Barber. The two competed on the undercard of Marlon Vera vs Cory Sandhagen. And despite Lee having the better first and third rounds, and the second round being fairly equal, Maycee Barber took home a split decision win. This was another example of how bad the judging can be in the UFC.
3. Marlon Vera vs Cory Sandhagen
The main event of that night was not any better. Marlon Vera and Cory Sandhagen promised to be a classic on paper. However, the American dominated the fight and controlled Vera throughout the contest. Some might even argue that he won all five rounds. Despite this, one judge ruled in favor of Vera. So although Sandhagen won, the fact that a judge gave Vera three rounds and Sandhagen won by split decision means this has to be up there with the worst this year. Even UFC president Dana White criticized it.
2. Joselyn Edwards vs Lucie Pudilova
Women’s bantamweights Joselyn Edwards and Lucie Pudilova competed on the UFC Fight Night in Kansas City. It was the first fight of the night and it got off to the worst possible start. Despite Pudilova controlling the fight in almost all three rounds, Edwards’ occasional striking was enough to take home a split decision. This was another unpopular decision with experts and fighters criticizing the judges yet again.
1. Kai Kara-France vs Amir Albazi
At number has to be the Kai Kara-France vs Amir Albazi event. The two competed in the main event of a UFC Fight Night card. And the event delivered to its hype, with both Kara-France and Albazi going at it for 25 minutes. However, Kara-France clearly got the better of Albazi. Despite this, the judges surprisingly ruled in favor of Albazi by a split decision. Needless to say, this also did not go down well.
So there you have it. These are our top five most controversial decisions in the UFC in 2023. Which do you think was the worst?
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