A controversial moment unfolded at UFC 305 when a judge was abruptly removed from the event following a highly disputed scorecard at UFC 305. The drama occurred just before the night’s main event, where Dricus du Plessis successfully defended his middleweight title against Israel Adesanya. But it was the heavyweight bout between Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Tai Tuivasa that set off a storm.
Rozenstruik and Tuivasa battled it out in the Octagon, and when the final horn sounded, it seemed clear to most observers that Rozenstruik had the upper hand. However, judge Howie Booth stunned everyone by scoring the fight 30-27 in favor of Tuivasa. Fortunately, the other two judges saw it differently, with scores of 30-27 and 29-28 in Rozenstruik’s favor, ensuring that the right fighter emerged victorious.
But Booth’s scorecard did not go unnoticed. Social media quickly erupted with fans expressing their disbelief and frustration over what they considered a gross error in judgment.
UFC 305 Judge Fired After Controversial Scorecard in Rozenstruik vs. Tuivasa Bout at UFC 305
One fan tweeted, “30-27 for Tai Tuivasa might be one of the worst scorecards ever recorded. Fire that judge immediately.” Another fan echoed the sentiment, writing, “Howie Booth needs to be investigated and never let inside another UFC event. A 30-27 is without a doubt, one of the, if not the worst scorecards of all time.”
The criticism didn’t stop there. A third fan didn’t hold back, tweeting, “This is absolutely worthy of instant dismissal. Not being dramatic either. Howie Booth you are mentally off and don’t ever judge another fight again. A 30–27???”
Adding to the chorus of disbelief, someone else commented, “Where is there a single round for Tai and how could you possibly give him all three? Howie Booth had to have just filled his scorecard out wrong.”
The backlash wasn’t limited to just fans. UFC lightweight Jared Gordon also weighed in, saying, “The judges are allowed to just do whatever they want I guess…”
The uproar led to swift action. Booth was initially slated to judge the co-main event, a flyweight bout between Kai Kara-France and Steve Erceg. However, following the controversy, Booth was removed from his duties and replaced by experienced judge Ben Cartlidge.
UFC Executive David Shaw Addressed Judge Booth
UFC executive David Shaw addressed the situation during the post-fight press conference, shedding light on the decision to sideline Booth. Shaw clarified that the Western Australian Combat Sports Commission, which oversees the event, made the call to remove Booth. He explained, “Don’t forget that the Western Australian Combat Sports Commission are the lead committee here. They are responsible for all of those decisions. I guess someone made the call that the performance was probably not worth keeping them [Booth] involved for the rest of the night.”
Shaw went on to emphasize the importance of accountability in the sport. “It’s good checks and balances, everybody needs to be held to a high standard,” he said. “If I don’t do my job or you don’t do your job maybe it’s good to sit on the bench for a while and reconsider the work. Try to figure out how to get back on track and do a better job next time. I think generally in life that’s a decent principle.”
However, Shaw was careful not to pass judgment on the commission’s decision, stating, “But it’s not for me to say whether it was right or wrong from the commission.”
The incident at UFC 305 highlights the ongoing debate about the quality of judging in MMA. While the majority of judges strive to deliver fair and accurate assessments, there have been numerous instances where scorecards have sparked controversy. This latest episode serves as a reminder of the critical role that judges play in the sport and the potential consequences when things go awry.
Howie Booth Axed
For fans and fighters alike, the integrity of the judging process is paramount. In a sport where careers can be made or broken in a single fight, ensuring that the right decisions are made is crucial. While human error is always a possibility, the goal is to minimize it as much as possible.
As for Howie Booth, the controversy surrounding his scorecard at UFC 305 will likely be a moment of reflection. Whether or not he returns to the judging panel remains to be seen, but the incident underscores the high stakes involved in every decision made inside the Octagon.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
