Five Worst Judging Decisions in UFC History
In mixed martial arts, fighters prepare for months, sometimes years, for just one night under the lights. But no matter how hard they train, one thing remains out of their control: the judges.
Over the years, UFC fans have witnessed incredible knockouts, slick submissions, and legendary rivalries. Yet, they’ve also seen their fair share of head-scratching scorecards. While judging is always subjective, a few decisions were so controversial they remain etched in MMA history for all the wrong reasons. Here are the five worst judging decisions in UFC history.
Five Worst Judging Decisions in UFC History
5. Michael Bisping vs Matt Hamill – UFC 75 (2007)
Before “The Count” became a middleweight champion and Hall of Famer, he was at the centre of one of the most infamous judging scandals in UFC history. When Michael Bisping met Matt Hamill in London, fans expected a competitive scrap, and they got one.
Hamill dominated much of the fight, using superior wrestling, ground control, and effective striking. By the final horn, nearly everyone, including the British crowd, believed Hamill had done enough to win. When the judges announced a split decision in favour of Bisping, the arena erupted in confusion. Even UFC President Dana White later admitted that Hamill should have gotten the nod.
4. Leonard Garcia vs Nam Phan – The Ultimate Fighter 12 Finale (2010)
If you’ve been watching the UFC long enough, you know the phrase “getting Garcia’d.” That saying was born from fights like this. Leonard Garcia and Nam Phan went toe-to-toe in a wild three-round brawl, but it was Phan who clearly outlanded and outclassed Garcia throughout.
The crowd, commentators, and media all saw a decisive Phan victory, except for the judges. When Garcia’s hand was raised, boos echoed through the arena. Even Garcia himself looked stunned. The decision was so bad that UFC President Dana White immediately promised Phan an instant rematch, which Phan later won.
3. Diego Sanchez vs Ross Pearson – UFC Fight Night 42 (2014)
Few decisions have ever caused such outrage as Diego Sanchez’s “win” over Ross Pearson in his hometown of Albuquerque. Pearson dominated the fight, landing crisp punches and controlling the distance while Sanchez swung at air for most of the bout.
When the scorecards were read: 30-27, 29-28, and 27-30 for Sanchez, fans were stunned. Commentators called it “robbery of the year.” Even the New Mexico Athletic Commission came under scrutiny, as the fight highlighted a serious need for reform in MMA judging standards.
2. Benson Henderson vs Gilbert Melendez – UFC on FOX 7 (2013)
Lightweight championship fights are often razor-close, but this one took controversy to new heights. In a thrilling five-round war, Gilbert Melendez pressed forward, landed the heavier shots, and controlled the pace against Benson Henderson. Yet, when the decision was read, the judges awarded Henderson a split-decision victory, leaving fans in disbelief.
1. Jon Jones vs Dominick Reyes – UFC 247 (2020)
Jon Jones has been on the good side of several close decisions, but none sparked more outrage than his light-heavyweight title defence against Dominick Reyes.
Reyes came out firing, landing clean combinations and using superior movement to take the first three rounds on most observers’ scorecards. However, when the fight went to the judges, two of them inexplicably awarded Jones the victory, giving him rounds that Reyes had seemingly dominated.
Fans, fighters, and analysts were furious. Even UFC commentator Joe Rogan said afterward that the scoring “robbed Reyes of a championship.”
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