As a collective, they’re a winner because, this time, hardly anyone is talking about them. Except for the judge who called the first round of Miller vs. Hendo for Cole Miller (even that many find forgivable), all their decisions sat well with the fans.
The judges also won in the five matches that went the distance and in which fates were laid in their hands.
They had the right fighters win: Jacob Volkmann, Ronny Markes, Joseph Benavidez, Duane Ludwig and Ben Henderson.
In a way, the judges also “won” when the seven other matches resulted in finishes. With all the flak that judges have been receiving since judging was invented, it must be their constant prayer that they’d be spared from ultimately choosing the winner of any contest.
So, in seven out of 12 fights last Sunday night, they were absolved by omission.
Hmm, which is more preferable to judges: making the right decisions at the end of an “unfinished” fight or not having their scorecards read aloud due to a finished fight?
Anyway, this question is moot and academic as far as UFC Live 5 is concerned.
For now, let’s acknowledge and congratulate its judges for a job well done.
Heck, they never had it easy—mixed martial arts and all its rules can make anyone’s perception all mixed up.
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