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'We need to start holding judges accountable': MMA fans and pros react as Jon Jones claims razor-thin decision at UFC 247
Jon Jones continued his reign of dominance over the UFC light heavyweight division on Saturday night but several figures within the MMA community have said that his win against Dominick Reyes came as a result of bad judging.
Longtime UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones will wake up on Sunday morning with the title belt once again in his possession but his UFC 247 opponent, Dominick Reyes, could be forgiven for expecting the same.
Jones was awarded the win on the scorecards (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) but the manner in which it came has been the source of debate since the moment it was announced in the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
Also on rt.com UFC 247: Jon Jones makes history as he retains light heavyweight title with controversial win over Dominick Reyes in Houston
Reyes, the undefeated challenger, appeared to have a good case for winning the first three rounds. His pace was troubling the usually extremely composed Jones, who found it hard to get to grips with the fight early on. The challenger out-struck the champion through the first 15 minutes of the fight, per official UFC statistics, and it was only in the final 10 minutes where Jones - perhaps sensing that his grasp on the championship belt was loosening - upped his intensity.
It proved to be enough. When the scorecards were announced and Jones was revealed as the victor, it set off a whirlwind of debate on both social media and the broadcast itself as to the veracity of Jones' win and the state of judging in mixed martial arts as a whole.
I had Reyes in the first three rounds. Credit to Jones on coming on strong 4th and 5th but I would of guessed Reyes won that fight on scorecards.
— Chris Weidman (@chrisweidman) February 9, 2020
Wow @ufc like you couldn’t seem more corrupt! Jon Jones did NOT win that fight. 3 rounds to 2, for Reyes and that can’t be argued! TRASH! You stole that from the man the earned it. Terrible!
— Jamie Varner (@jamievarner) February 9, 2020
Seriously, We need to start holding judges accountable. It’s bullshit that when they make a bad call they still get paid. #UFC247
— Julian marquez (@JMarquezMMA) February 9, 2020
Daniel Cormier, the most heated rival of Jones' career, was a little less scathing in his assessment of the fight and the scoring, though he did admit that the lone 49-46 scorecard in favor of Jones was unusual.
The Rock, meanwhile, chose to stay out of it.
Not robbery. Close fight, could have gone either way. 3-1 or 2-2 going into 5th. I thought 3-2 Reyes but the fight was so close it could have gone either way.
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) February 9, 2020
Helluva fight from @DomReyes and one day he’ll be a GREAT @ufc champion. Congrats @JonnyBones, the GOAT on his record setting performance. Huge respect to you both. Great night of fights!
