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- Mar 2, 2011
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I was in the majority, thinking Rose won rounds 1, 2, and 5, taking a 48-47 decision. I thought Rose landed the better offense despite the statistical striking advantage Joanna had.
But having rewatched it, it really was a close fight from start to finish. Most exchanges were very even and could go either way. Overall I still have Rose winning rounds 2 and 5, and Joanna winning rounds 3 and 4, but round 1 could arguably go to Joanna. Rounds 3 and 4 are the clearest in the fight, with Joanna taking them more convincingly than Rose took any of her rounds. Most of the serious damage Rose landed came at the very end of the 4th round, and the first half of the 5th round. It's almost like once Rose saw that the end was in sight, she was more willing to take chances and unload.
People need to stop clinging to the physical appearances of the fighters to judge. Rose always looks bad at the end of her fights, just like GSP does. Fights aren't a "make your opponent ugly" competition. It's possible for a fighter to get cut up and swollen, then KO their opponent who doesn't have a mark on them. There's also damage to parts of the body that aren't the face. In this case, that obviously means the leg kick damage Joanna inflicted on Rose.
As always, fans also need to make sure they're thinking for themselves, and judging for themselves. Try and be aware of when you're being influenced by the commentary. Joe Rogan admittedly has a very pro-Rose bias. And while he's a great commentator, he's still wrong on a regular basis, about many things.
Joanna does have good reason to be upset about the decision. The fight coulda gone either way, and all three judges scoring the fight 49-46 for Rose is extremely harsh on Joanna. Had Joanna maintained her momentum gained during rounds 3 and 4, and actually won round 5, she'd have a very legitimate claim that the fight was a robbery, as she'd still have lost 48-47.
Despite the loss, I still consider Joanna to be the best strawweight in the world. This extremely close decision loss to Rose doesn't change that. She's simply much more proven than Rose. She's shown cardio and takedown defense, and strong striking skills against a diverse range of opponents. Meanwhile, Rose was dominated by Carla Esparza, had a razor close fight against Tecia, and lost on the feet to Karolina. Also, Joanna comfortably beat the clear top contender Jessica Andrade, while I'd pick Jessica to beat Rose were they to fight.
Going forward, I still think Joanna's next move should be to move up to 125. Regardless of whether or not she deserved the win against Rose, she's still 0-2 on paper, and were they to fight a third time, I'd have to favor Rose considering their ages and the points they're at in their careers. She has a tough weight cut at 115, and doesn't have much time left in her career. Thus, I think she should look to 125 to try and capture a second title. It'd be a nice career achievement, and an opportunity for her to carry on earning as a champion. The 125 division is generally weak, and she'd be favored against everyone except Valentina. She'd get an opportunity at an easy fight against a big name opponent in Paige VanZant. And she'd be comfy favorite in stylistically favorable matchups against top TUF contenders Nicco Montano and Sijara Eubanks. Finally, she'd get an opportunity to try and beat her nemesis Valentina Shevchenko before she closes out her career.
But having rewatched it, it really was a close fight from start to finish. Most exchanges were very even and could go either way. Overall I still have Rose winning rounds 2 and 5, and Joanna winning rounds 3 and 4, but round 1 could arguably go to Joanna. Rounds 3 and 4 are the clearest in the fight, with Joanna taking them more convincingly than Rose took any of her rounds. Most of the serious damage Rose landed came at the very end of the 4th round, and the first half of the 5th round. It's almost like once Rose saw that the end was in sight, she was more willing to take chances and unload.
People need to stop clinging to the physical appearances of the fighters to judge. Rose always looks bad at the end of her fights, just like GSP does. Fights aren't a "make your opponent ugly" competition. It's possible for a fighter to get cut up and swollen, then KO their opponent who doesn't have a mark on them. There's also damage to parts of the body that aren't the face. In this case, that obviously means the leg kick damage Joanna inflicted on Rose.
As always, fans also need to make sure they're thinking for themselves, and judging for themselves. Try and be aware of when you're being influenced by the commentary. Joe Rogan admittedly has a very pro-Rose bias. And while he's a great commentator, he's still wrong on a regular basis, about many things.
Joanna does have good reason to be upset about the decision. The fight coulda gone either way, and all three judges scoring the fight 49-46 for Rose is extremely harsh on Joanna. Had Joanna maintained her momentum gained during rounds 3 and 4, and actually won round 5, she'd have a very legitimate claim that the fight was a robbery, as she'd still have lost 48-47.
Despite the loss, I still consider Joanna to be the best strawweight in the world. This extremely close decision loss to Rose doesn't change that. She's simply much more proven than Rose. She's shown cardio and takedown defense, and strong striking skills against a diverse range of opponents. Meanwhile, Rose was dominated by Carla Esparza, had a razor close fight against Tecia, and lost on the feet to Karolina. Also, Joanna comfortably beat the clear top contender Jessica Andrade, while I'd pick Jessica to beat Rose were they to fight.
Going forward, I still think Joanna's next move should be to move up to 125. Regardless of whether or not she deserved the win against Rose, she's still 0-2 on paper, and were they to fight a third time, I'd have to favor Rose considering their ages and the points they're at in their careers. She has a tough weight cut at 115, and doesn't have much time left in her career. Thus, I think she should look to 125 to try and capture a second title. It'd be a nice career achievement, and an opportunity for her to carry on earning as a champion. The 125 division is generally weak, and she'd be favored against everyone except Valentina. She'd get an opportunity at an easy fight against a big name opponent in Paige VanZant. And she'd be comfy favorite in stylistically favorable matchups against top TUF contenders Nicco Montano and Sijara Eubanks. Finally, she'd get an opportunity to try and beat her nemesis Valentina Shevchenko before she closes out her career.
