Biggest Robberies in MMA History (Top 12)
MMA circus is a roller coaster ride of emotions for every fighter. As passionate fans of the sport, we are in that spinning train as well. I mean, there are plenty of reasons why MMA is often a massive source of stress and anxiety for most of us.
Fighters injuring themselves a week before a fight or missing weight are just the most common reasons. Yet, what’s caused many broken TV/PC screens, torn vocal cords and pre heart attacks are totally blind sets of judges’ eyes. It doesn’t matter if you are a fan or not, nobody likes to see a fighter getting screwed by the judges.
MMA promotions like UFC are using the 10-point boxing scoring system and the judges sitting beside the cage are often criticized for the limited knowledge of the sport. When the bad call occurs, you can always hear UFC president Dana White or a screwed fighter saying “never leave it in the hands of the judges”.
Now, let’s recall some painful memories and count down the top 12 biggest decision robberies in MMA history!
12. Michihiro Omigawa vs. Darren Elkins — UFC 131
Honestly, no one expected anything out of this fight. I mean, Omigawa was on a four-fight losing streak and Elkins was 1–1 inside the UFC octagon. Therefore, both fighters stepped into the Octagon with their UFC careers on the line.
In the opening round, the fight was going back and forth with Elkins landing with more precision and comfortably winning the round. However, Omigawa started coming forward in the second and landing with more aggression.
Coming into the third, the rounds were split 1–1. In the first minute, we saw fist flying inside the pocket and Omigawa deciding to break the wild exchanges with the huge takedown.
The Japanese fighter went on to land nasty ground and pound and he clearly won the third round. But, the judges awarded Elkins a decision victory. What’s more, one judge had it 30–27 Elkins which is absurd! I mean, you should go to jail for that one!
The decision was so bad that UFC president Dana White decided to give Omigawa a post-fight winning bonus and another chance in the promotion.
11. Bas Rutten vs. Kevin Randleman — UFC 20
The fight between Bas Rutten and Kevin Rendleman is probably one of the first-ever UFC decision robberies in history. While Rutten was a prominent name in the MMA world at that time, young Rendleman was looking to prove himself against the big names. Despite the differences in experiences, fans expected nothing but an elite display of skills and fireworks!
Right from the start, Rendelman put his exceptional wrestling offense to work by slamming Rutten to the mat and literally holding him there for 20 minutes. Rutten did everything in his power to stay active from the bottom. He landed a few punches and elbows but was never close to controlling the fight.
Logically, everyone expected Rendleman to receive a decision victory and capture the UFC gold. But, the judges made one of the most absurd calls in history by awarding Rutten a split decision.
Even the Rutten himself was in an obvious shock and disbelief, trying to justify his win during the post-fight interview. The two would never meet again, with Rutten retiring from the sport shortly after.
10. Frankie Edgar vs. Benson Henderson II
The first fight between Henderson and Edgar at UFC 144 was a very close battle and the decision could go either way. That said, the rematch was set for UFC 150 with the mission to erase any doubts about who’s the better man. Edgar came out guns blazing, looking sharper than ever.
Furthermore, he quickly neutralized Henderson’s wrestling attacks. Edgar pushed the five-round pace and he clearly landed more significant strikes. Yet, the judges gave “The Smooth” a split decision victory, breaking Edgar’s heart once again.
“I’m upset, man. What are you going to do? I did [think I won]. I thought I brought it to him.” — Said Edgar after the fight (source)
9. Fedor Emelianenko vs. Fabio Maldonado — Fight Night Global 50
For many, Fedor Emelianenko is the greatest Heavyweight fighter of all time. However, perceiving him struggling against the modern-day competition is often sad. Nobody wants to see a hero going down like that.
Usually, wrong decisions are triggering all sorts of emotional reactions. But what happened between Fedor and Fabio Maldonado at FNG 50 in Russia is simply bizarre. The fight itself was supposed to be the one that will finally launch Fedor into the UFC promotion. Yet, Maldonado had a different plan.
Right from the first bell, Maldonado began destroying the Russian. In the first two rounds, the referee had at least five opportunities to step in and stop the fight. It was that brutal. He gave Fedor every opportunity to make a comeback. The third round was not very different and we have all thought that Maldonado has done enough to secure a victory in spite of being in hostile territory. The judges gave Fedora a very controversial victory which was later overturned into the draw by the World Mixed Martial Arts Association.
The truth is, the bout was held in Russia and Emelianenko happens to be a president of the Russian MMA Union. That said, do you really think they would give Maldonado a decision victory?!
8. Brandon Vera vs. Randy Couture — UFC 105
A matchup between the Randy Couture and Brandon Vera was a perfect example of the young and hungry lion facing the legend. At that time, the “Natural” had 15 UFC fights, more than Vera has on the entire professional record!
For most people, the younger Vera won the first round by landing more significant strikes. Couture was looking lost at times without offering any offense. In the second, Vera would score a stunning knockdown and win the round once again. We’re not sure about the judge’s criteria in this one and what is their logic behind giving Couture a decision victory.
7. Carlos Condit vs. Nick Diaz — UFC 143
To this day, the battle between Condit and Diaz represents a traumatic recollection for every Diaz fan out there. Coming into this fight, both fighters were in their prime.
Also, with the UFC Interim Welterweight gold on the line, the stakes were very high. But, most people thought that Diaz was a better and more popular fighter. With that, crowning himself with the Interim Welterweight gold would fulfill everyone’s dreams.
At the beginning of the fight, everything looked well for Diaz. He was pressing forward, continuously provoking Condit and landing nice boxing combos. Condit was looking lost at times and hesitating to pull the trigger. He spent most of the time countering and avoiding any kind of pocket exchange.
The better part of the fighting world famously had Diaz in “2,4 and 5”. However, the judges gave the victory to Condit. To this day, this represents one of the most painful memories for any fan. I mean, just imagine Diaz becoming the UFC champ!
6. Michael Bisping vs. Matt Hamill — UFC 75
It’s not a secret that the career of Michael Bisping is full of controversial, brutal and comic situations. One of the most famous is his victory over Matt Hamill at UFC 75.
Although Hamill was a relatively unknown fighter, he quickly started dismantling Bisping in the opening round. What’s more, he even put the Englishman on his butt a couple of times. Bisping picked himself up in the second, but he would get dominated once again in the third. The fight was pretty one-sided.
Also, even Bisping knew the harsh reality. Between the rounds, he was complaining to his cornerman about his inability to counter or do anything. However, guess who wasn’t aware of the reality inside the octagon? Yes, the judges sitting beside the Octagon. I don’t know if it’s comic, controversial or brutal, but the judges decided to give Bisping a victory.
5. Nam Phan vs. Leonard Garcia — TUF 12 Finale
The “TUF” show has been always representing a proving ground for talented upcoming fighters. Sometimes, it seems like the show is a proving ground for the inexperienced judges as well. The judge’s actions in a fight between Nam Phan and Leonard Garcia are a perfect example to support our claim.
Nam Phan came ready to put on a show! While Garcia was throwing wild kicks and punches, Phan kept his composure and he started winning the early exchanges. What’s more, he took Garcia down on many occasions. Basically, Phan dominated all the rounds and was clearly a better man.
Garcia tried to put his wild fighting style to work but he was constantly missing with the combos. But, in the eyes of the judges, swinging looping punches and constantly missing is enough for victory!
Rightfully, the decision pissed off many fans including the UFC president Dana White. As a result, he arranged an immediate rematch at UFC 136 which Phan won by decision.
4. Frankie Edgar vs. Greg Maynard II — UFC 125
Frankie Edgar is perhaps the most screwed fighter in the history of MMA. We firmly believe we can devote him to a “Top 5 Times Frankie Edgar Got Screwed in a Fight” article. The poor guy must be under some spells. The judging at his second bout against Greg Maynard at UFC 125 is the ultimate head-scratcher and clearly stands above the others.
Like in many fights before and after, Edgar found himself being in all sorts of troubles early in the fight. Maynard came more than ready and he landed a couple of devastating blows on Edgar’s chin. What’s more, he nearly finished Edgar in the first.
However, Edgar is largely known for his ability to take punishment. He picked himself up between the rounds and made the necessary adjustments. So, he went on clearly winning the next four rounds.
While Bruce Buffer was preparing to read the scorecards, every MMA journalist had their fingers on the keyboard, ready to write the “one of the greatest comeback story”. But, the judges shocked everybody by declaring a draw! The only explanation that we acknowledge is that perhaps two of the three judges were blind.
3. Georges St- Pierre vs. Johny Hendricks — UFC 167
GSP is arguably one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time. His title reign and accomplishments are astonishing. Yet, we just can’t escape but remember that he was involved in one of the biggest robberies ever at UFC 167.
Before he went on a terrible losing streak, Johnny Hendricks was a dangerous and violent man. With many one-punch knockouts inside the Octagon, the “Big Rig” received the opportunity to challenge the prime GSP.
Surprisingly, Hendricks started beating the champ from the opening bell. He was landing hard shots and successfully defending the takedowns. What’s more, GSP looked confused at times. Overall, Hendricks was a better man that night. Although GSP had some moments, it was obvious that the Welterweight division was about to see a new champion.
But, the judges gave the split decision victory to GSP and left the world in shock. You don’t have to watch the entire fight to realize who was a better man. Instead, just look at their faces after the bout.
2. Lyoto Machida vs. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua — UFC 104
Lyoto Machida is the best Karate fighter to ever compete inside the cage. He became the UFC champion with a knockout performance victory over Rashad Evans at UFC 98.
With the belt around the Dragons waist, many believed that “Machida’s Era” has officially begun. In his first title defense, the Brazilian faced the PRIDE legend, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua. For many, Shogun ended the “Machida’s Era” at UFC 104. But, thanks to the judges, Machida will remain a champion for a couple more months.
During the fight, Shogun was holding the center and constantly pressing forward. He was able to cut Machida’s movement many times and crack him with devastating blows. What’s more, the leg kicks clearly slowed the Dragon down.
At the final bell, everybody was ready to stand up and admire the former PRIDE champion achieving the same success inside the UFC Octagon. Yet, the judges had a different pair of eyes from the rest of the world as they awarded the decision to the champion. Oddly enough, the decision was unanimous!
However, the rematch would follow shortly after at UFC 113, and this time, Shogun went on knocking Machida out inside the first round.
1. Diego Sanchez vs. Ross Pearson — UFC Fight Night 42
Diego Sanchez is, without doubt, the wildest man on the UFC roster. From spectacular entrances to leaving it all inside the Octagon, Sanchez is special in so many ways. At UFC Fight Night 42, he faced the veteran Ross Pearson in front of the home crowd in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Considering that both fighters are violent and aggressive, we expected nothing but a slugfest.
However, it turned out to be a pretty one-sided contest. Pearson quickly found Sanchez’s number on the feet and was spending most of the time landing from the distance. Sanchez desperately tried to counter in his own wild style, but he was out of range.
If you look at the official stats, you can see that Pearson was a better fighter in every statistically measured aspect! As Bruce Buffer was reading the judges’ scorecards that have awarded Sanchez a victory, you can hear UFC color commentators saying:
“I’m still in shock and disbelief on that decision. Those judges should be ashamed”
If you enjoy our top lists and want to read more, be sure to check out our articles on “The Bloodiest Fights in the History of MMA” and “The Greatest Fights in Combat Sports History”
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