Another UFC main event and another judging controversy. This time it was Randy Couture winning a razor thin decision over Brandon Vera -- and ironically enough, I actually agree with judges.
Yes, some might find that shocking, but upon further review, I can see how the judges scored the bout.
When I first watched the fight, I knew it could have went either way; in fact, I was actually surprised that Couture won, as I had the bout scored 29-28 for "The Truth."
I took it upon myself to watch the fight a second time, something I vehemently recommend to everyone, as a second time around you have to beauty of analyzing it with a fine tooth comb.
The two rounds that come into question are rounds one and three; it's safe to say that Vera won round two, based on the left leg kick, knee and follow-up leg kick that dropped Couture.
In Round 1, Vera immediately explodes with a combination forcing Couture to clinch and pin Vera up against the cage. From here, Couture is able to control Vera throughout, at one point even taking him down. One could score this round for either fighter. But in terms of the dreaded Octagon control criterion, when I watched it a second time, I gave it to Couture. Mind you, by the narrowest of margins.
In Round 3, Couture was up to his old tricks again, clinching with Vera, but this time, he picks up the pace with his dirty boxing. He controls the vast majority of the round until in the final minute, when Vera is able to take the former champ to the mat and mount him. However, he is unable to mount an offence.
Couture is able to get back to his feet, and the two exchange punches to close out the round. Based on Octagon control, again, I give it Couture, solely for the fact that if Vera would have scored that takedown earlier, and controlled Couture on the ground for a longer period of time, I would have likely scored the round for the Filipino Phenom.
Unlike the robbery at UFC 104, where Mauricio (Shogun) Rua clearly dominated Lyoto Machida, the Couture-Vera bout was a razor thin one to call. Since the end of the bout and for the full day on Sunday, I have been fielding emails and phone calls from a variety of fans and dignitaries in the MMA industry.
What I found is that it is pretty much split down the middle… half for Couture, and half for Vera. It was simply that close in Manchester. So dare I say it… should the fight have been scored a draw?
Folks… it was simply that close.
This is one fight where I have no issues with the judges’ decision, not because I agree, but because it was one of the closest fights to score in a very long time.