News Texas Commission Responds to UFC 247 Judging Backlash.

[HoFF]

Controversial judging has been the overriding theme coming out of UFC 247 this past Saturday in Houston.

Three bouts – Andre Ewell vs. Jonathan Martinez, Andrea Lee vs. Lauren Murphy, and Jon Jones vs. Dominick Reyes – all had viewers complaining about varying levels of controversy.

On Monday, the Texas Department of Licensure and Regulation, which oversees regulation of mixed martial arts events in Texas, issued a statement to MMA Junkie in response to the backlash.

“As in all athletic events, athletes, teams, judges, fans and media representatives can – and often do – have differing opinions about what happened in a combative sports match,” commission spokesperson Tela Mange said. “TDLR applauds the passion everyone is exhibiting about this sport. Comments have been made about the selection of the judges and the referees. In selecting ringside officials, TDLR takes into consideration recommendations made by UFC. As with all events, TDLR works closely with UFC and other promoters to ensure the quality and experience of referees and judges to protect the health and safety of the fighters.”


hief among UFC 247 judging critics was UFC commentator Joe Rogan. The comedian and longtime UFC color commentator ripped the judgingthroughout the broadcast, at one point calling it “criminal.”

During the preliminary card bout between Murphy and Lee, Rogan claimed one of the judges was looking at the floor instead of the fight, which fueled criticism from fellow commentator Dominick Cruz and play-by-play man Jon Anik.

TDLR attempted to clarify what was going on during the sequence Rogan referenced.

“Claims have been made that a judge was not paying attention to the fight and was looking down at the floor,” Mange said. “One of the advances that UFC has made in the past several years has been to provide small video monitors below the floor level of the octagon for each judge to more closely monitor matches.”

UFC 247 took place Saturday at Toyota Center. The main card aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+.

 

[CannotWin]

Chose the wrong criticisms to address, and addressed those poorly.

 

[Buff]

"Thanks for your input... We'll look into it"

 

[Haj01]

Lmao looking at the floor

 

[HoFF]

The one judge who scored it 4-1 for Jon either had big money on him, or is due for an eye exam ASAP.

 

[chinarice]

"One of the advances that UFC has made in the past several years has been to provide small video monitors below the floor level of the octagon for each judge to more closely monitor matches.”

Soooooo the monitor is nowhere near him? What's the fucking point then? If the monitor isn't right in front of his fucking stupid face then it's a pretty god damn useless monitor.

 

[Timurd123]

They said exactly what everyone thought they would
“Go fuck yourself”

I really hope they don’t do any more events in Texas

 

[El Fernas]

So, are they supposed to watch through a screen or directly at the octagon? they are cage side, but the view might not be the best imo, still not the best argument to defend it.

 

[MirRocksFedor]

The one judge who scored it 4-1 for Jon either had big money on him, or is due for an eye exam ASAP.

Don't think so, I think 2-3 were a lot closer then you think, but people want JJ to seem human. Go back and watch, don't watch flashy moves, then check the fight stats, they were razor close.

1 clearly DR
4/5 easily JJ

 

[Timurd123]

"One of the advances that UFC has made in the past several years has been to provide small video monitors below the floor level of the octagon for each judge to more closely monitor matches.”

Soooooo the monitor is nowhere near him? What's the fucking point then? If the monitor isn't right in front of his fucking stupid face then it's a pretty god damn useless monitor.

They have monitors on the tables they set up like Rogan and Anik etc look at, the guy was probably texting or just plain not giving a fuck

 

[HoFF]

Don't think so, I think 2-3 were a lot closer then you think, but people want JJ to seem human. Go back and watch, don't watch flashy moves, then check the fight stats, they were razor close.

1 clearly DR
4/5 easily JJ

1,2,3 Reyes.

 

[Verace]

Joe Solis is GOAT



Deal with it

 

[PicoPulse]

Too Didnt Long Read

 

[MirRocksFedor]

1,2,3 Reyes.

Classic Sherdoggy.... Razor close 2/3

http://ufcstats.com/fight-details/fae99a4089f8abb0

 

[KeepItRealist]

Standard response from any athletic commission.

A bunch of political hires protecting each other as always. Because if any of them gets fired for incompetence, they are all at risk. No more expense accounts.

 

[SeattleFightFan]

Standard response from any athletic commission.

A bunch of political hires protecting each other as always, because if any of them gets fired for incompetence, they are all at risk. No more expense accounts.

This...

“Claims have been made that a judge was not paying attention to the fight and was looking down at the floor,” Mange said. “One of the advances that UFC has made in the past several years has been to provide small video monitors below the floor level of the octagon for each judge to more closely monitor matches.”

Feels like it would be pretty easy to refute, if it's wrong.