Controversy explodes during UFC 305 as judge is removed in the ring…
Aussie heavyweight Tai Tuivasa has fallen to his fifth consecutive loss after the Australian heavyweight was defeated by Jairzinho Rozenstruik in Perth – and the fight fans were left with anger and shocked by the outcome.
By Shayne Bugden, Justin Chadwick
By Shayne Bugden For Daily Mail Australiaand Justin Chadwick For Australian Associated Press
Published: | Updated:
Australian heavyweight Tai Tuivasa has sunk to his fifth consecutive loss after he was defeated by Jairzinho Rozenstruik in a an unanimous decision during UFC 305 in Perth however the scorecard of one judge stole the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
Tuivasa was knocked down during the 2nd round of the fight at the sold-out RAC Arena however the judge Howie Booth left the fans astonished and angry when he rated the three-round fight 30-27 in favour of the Australian.
The two other judges gave the bout 29-28 and 30-27 to Rozenstruik which means Tuivasa hasn’t won a fight in the octagon since February 2022.
Booth was removed from the panel of judges for another match on the card, Steve Erceg vs Kai Kara-France.
On social media, fans erupted when that the scores had been read.
“30-27 to Tai Tuivasa might be one of the most sloppy scorecards ever recorded. The judge should be fired immediately. and he wrote a note.
30-27 in favor of Tai who is Tai? The judge Howie Booth ought to be dismissed and reprimanded!’ Another added.
MMA Reporter Mike Bohn wrote, ’30-27 scorecard for Tai Tuivasa. It’s completely insane.’
It was clear to the fans of fighting the fact that Tai Tuivasa (left) lost his UFC 305 bout with Jairzinho Rozenstruik (right) however one judge saw it different… as well. He he lost his job in the process.
Tuivasa (right) is smashed during the 2nd round but could not score a late knockout
Many of the fans were in agreement with the entire message of this tweet following the ruling of the judge Howie Booth decided to award the fight to Tuivasa 30 – 27
Another fighter fan suggested Booth’s performance ‘could be the worst scorecard ever recorded in all time in the history of the UFC’.
In an effort to stop the devastation, Tuivasa had flown to Dubai to prepare for his next fight. He was hoping that the change of scenery would aid in avoiding distractions such as his family and the local pub.
The first round was a calm contest, with neither was able to strike any vicious blows.
The second half of the game exploded into life with only two minutes remaining when Rozenstruik was the first to strike after Tuivasa injured his leg when striking.
Rozenstruik delivered a string of powerful blows that left Tuivasa bleeding and fighting for his life However, the Australian did manage to bounce back several times to make sure that he was able to make it to the sound of the bell.
The Australian’s Stewart Nicoll looked lifeless on the mat (pictured) during the UFC 305 undercard when he was knocked unconscious by the wrestler Jesus Aguilar
Aguilar (left) demonstrated excellent sportsmanship when he played with Nicoll’s legs in order to draw blood flowing towards his scalp during the frightening scenes following his win.
Tuivasa landed a few more brutal punches in the 3rd round, and his final attack trying to secure a knockout came up short of the mark.
It was a shocking moment in a fight that was on the undercard of a fight when Australia’s Stewart Nicoll was left unconscious after being knocked down in the first round by Jesus Aguilar in the first round.
The Mexican’s guillotine choke proved extremely effective, but the judge did not realize how much the Aussie was struggling until Aguilar alerted him.
‘He’s out, he’s sleeping!’ was the message from American commentators when Aguilar left Nicoll who was a dead man lying on the ground of the Octagon.
Aguilar displayed great sportsmanship to grab the legs of his opponent and then start moving them around to draw blood back to his head.
Nicoll soon recovered, and was then able to stand up and applaud his opponent on the victory before leaving the Octagon.