UFC Says Dana White Breached Protocol By Removing Judge In Macau

UFC president Dana White revealed at the UFC Fight Night 48 press conference some rather interesting news. During the prelims card of the Macau, China based card, he had pulled an ‘incompetent’ judge from the panel, and told him to sit in the crowd. After some sketchy scoring during the first two bouts, Howard Hughes was banished to the stands.

The news may have come as music to the ears of fans who are angered by poor judging, but it looks like the UFC isn’t on board with White’s decision. The promotion released an offical statement on the issue over at UFC.com:

“After an internal review, the UFC organization announced today that a breach of its independent regulatory protocol occurred on Saturday night during UFC FIGHT NIGHT MACAO. After the second fight of the night, UFC President Dana White requested that Howard Hughes, one of the event’s five assigned judges, be removed from working any further bouts. Pursuant to UFC’s protocol, neither White nor any other UFC executive possesses such authority. Nevertheless, protocol was breached and Hughes did not work further bouts on Saturday night.”

“Both White and the UFC apologize to Mr. Hughes for calling his professional judgment into question. Hughes has judged more than 25 UFC fight cards and the UFC looks forward to him working on its events again in the future.”

So it looks like White had overstepped the mark in striking Hughes from the judging panel, but no word yet on whether the UFC president will face any further action following this matter. In the lack of a functioning athletic commission, it looks like Dana thought he had more power than he actually did.

Do you agree with White’s actions in Macau, or should he have stuck to the rule book that has seen many fighters sacked and penalized in the past?