Joe Rogan Calls For MMA Scoring System Upgrade After Robbie Lawler’s Controversial Split-Decision Win Over Carlos Condit
On Saturday, January 2, 2016, UFC held its first premier event of this year at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, UFC 195: Lawler vs. Condit. Many MMA fans, especially those exclusive to UFC, were looking forward to this fight because of one thing: the residual popularity from Robbie Lawler’s last fight against Rory MacDonald at UFC 189: Mendes vs. McGregor. For those who do not know, the war “The Ruthless One” had against “The Red King” was a fight to be remembered for the ages. Both men gave their all, putting their bodies on the line to entertain the masses. As a matter of fact, it was a far better fight than the main event which featured Conor McGregor.
Nevertheless, many looked forward to Robbie Lawler versus Carlos Condit. When the smoke cleared, Lawler reigned supreme as he retained his UFC welterweight championship. However, Lawler’s win came with controversy. Many believed that Condit actually won the fight. But thanks to the peculiar MMA scoring system, Lawler won by split-decision instead. Because of this, many have voiced their opinion about the MMA scoring system which includes UFC commentator Joe Rogan who says “it badly needs an upgrade.”
To be frank, it is a shame that such a great fight, one that Fan Sided says is a contender for “Fight of the Year,” is marred with controversy. However, it is safe to say that the issues with the MMA scoring card system would not have taken a front seat if it weren’t for the high-profile fight in the first place. Joe Rogan took to his Twitter account to post numerous tweets arguing about how ridiculous it is.
MMA’s scoring badly needs an upgrade. There’s no way the 5th and 3rd rounds should generate the same score last night.
— Joe Rogan (@joerogan) January 3, 2016
The idea that we continue to use boxing’s 10 point must system for a completely different sport is inexcusable at this stage.
— Joe Rogan (@joerogan) January 3, 2016
Imagine how goofy football would be if quarters were scored as equal 10 – 9 rounds regardless of how much more scoring was done in each.
— Joe Rogan (@joerogan) January 3, 2016
Submissions and KO’s will always be the most definitive ways to win fights but we should know exactly what points are based on at this stage
— Joe Rogan (@joerogan) January 3, 2016
Though others have made it known they are on board with Joe Rogan, certain people important to this situation probably matter more. This includes Dana White. According to For The Win, the UFC president openly admitted that he had Robbie Lawler versus Carlos Condit scored 3-2 in favor of Condit, during an interview with UFC correspondent Megan Olivi.
If there is going to be any upgrade to the MMA scoring system, UFC (or any MMA promotion for that matter) will have to go through athletic commissions. Sadly enough, most athletic commissions believe an overhaul of the scoring system would be a massive undertaking. Not only that, many athletic commissions already believe the scoring system works and it would truly work better if the MMA community would just accept it. The failure on the athletic commissions’ part is they based the MMA scoring system off of boxing’s scoring system. Not to dump on the combat sport, but boxing is limited compared to MMA. As for the judges doing the scoring for matches, many of them are most-likely seasoned more in boxing over MMA. They will probably see more emphasis in a light punch connecting over a massive takedown.
Ultimately, the scoring system overhaul has a slim-to-none chance in ever happening at this moment. The MMA community can only hope those judging MMA fights aren’t just general judges that tally up numbers for a fight, but actually understand MMA.
[Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for MGM Resorts International]
