Ross Pearson Launches Official Appeal Against Fight Night 42 Judging Debacle
UFC lightweight slugger Ross Pearson took part in what was billed as a guaranteed ‘Fight of the night’ this past Saturday, landing a co-main event slot for Fight Night 42 against Diego Sanchez. Styles make fights, and on paper these two looked to be very well matched. What transpired was a less than thrilling three round, stand up battle, one which Pearson won convincingly.
Unfortunately for ‘The Real Deal’, two of the three judges didn’t pay enough attention to the action, and scored the fight in favour of ‘The Nightmare’. Although out struck, and plainly out classed, Sanchez walked away with the win in very controversial fashion. The media has been alight with criticism for MMA judging in the time since, and fans have been left wondering how many more times this will happen.
It seems as though Pearson himself has had enough of MMA judge’s shenanigans, and is launching an official appeal to the New Mexico State Athletic Commission, according to The Telegraph. Cases similar to Pearson vs. Snachez have been appealed in the past, but are often turned away by each individual governing body. Perhaps the timing is right for ‘The Real Deal’ though.
Obviously it is in the hands of the commission now, but the appeal comes at a time where MMA judges, and officials/commissions are under a lot of scrutiny. The recent debacle on The Ultimate Fighter 19, and ex-executive Keith Kizer’s departure have added to public, and internal pressure to update the unified rules and methods of judging bouts.
It’s important to note that the result will only be overturned if an investigation deems that there is foul play, or an error in scoring. The fact that one judge scored the bout 29-28 Sanchez is an error, in my opinion, but 30-27? Perhaps the third judge had the fighters mixed up? That is the only logical explanation, either that or the judge in question is as bent as a £9 note. Or an idiot. Ideas?
