Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images
Longtime lightweight veteran Edson Barboza, who recently made the drop to 145 pounds, lost a controversial split decision to Dan Ige on the UFC on ESPN 8 main card last Sat. night (May 16, 2020) inside VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida.
Manager Alex Davis believed the judges’ decision was egregious enough to warrant a post-fight appeal, but Florida State Boxing Commission (FSBC) did not share his opinion and Barboza’s loss to “50k” in “The Sunshine State” remains on the books.
“We wanted to come in front of them and analyze the fight and show them the decision was wrong,” Davis told MMA Junkie. “They can’t allow it because for that to happen, I would have to accuse the judges of fraud, or Ige of having taken (performance-enhancing drugs). I have no suspicion of fraud, and I don’t think he takes PEDs. I think he’s a great fighter, and he fought really well. I can’t appeal because of that.”
Barboza, 34, is no stranger to the appeals process. Davis also tried to overturn the decision in the Brazilian’s loss to Paul Felder at UFC 242. Unfortunately, discretion is protected whereas misconduct is not, which is why fighters rarely win such cases.
It’s been a rough couple of years for the fading Barboza (30-9), who has now lost three straight and five of his last six. No telling what’s next for the striking phenom but he clearly needs a win, sooner rather than later.