Daniel Cormier Slams Bukauskas vs. Cutelaba Decision
Introduction: A Judging Scandal Unfolds
UFC 315 delivered high-stakes action, but one fight in particular has sparked outrage and debate across the MMA community. Modestas Bukauskas secured a split-decision victory over Ion Cutelaba, but the scorecards left fans, analysts, and even UFC commentator Daniel Cormier fuming. Cormier called the decision “trash”, igniting discussions about the state of UFC judging.
The Fight: A Back-and-Forth Battle
Bukauskas and Cutelaba engaged in a closely contested light heavyweight bout, with both fighters landing significant strikes and controlling portions of the fight. Cutelaba threw 94 more strikes than Bukauskas and doubled his total striking numbers, leading many to believe he had done enough to win.
Despite this, the judges awarded Bukauskas the victory with bizarre scorecards—one judge scored the fight 30-27 for Cutelaba, while another scored it 30-27 for Bukauskas, creating a complete contradiction in the official results.
Cormier’s Reaction: “That’s Trash”
Cormier, who was calling the fight live, did not hold back in his criticism of the decision. “That’s trash. That’s actually a very bad decision,” he said, referring to judge Pasquale Procopio, who had not officiated a UFC fight since 2016.
Former UFC champion Dominick Cruz also expressed disbelief, suggesting that the UFC should display judges’ profile pictures to hold them accountable for questionable scorecards.
Bukauskas Responds to “Robbery” Claims
Following the fight, Bukauskas addressed the controversy, stating that while it may not have been his best performance, he still believes he won the fight. “We had some great exchanges, and I definitely landed more cleanly,” Bukauskas wrote on Instagram.
Despite the backlash, Bukauskas remains focused on improving and moving forward, aiming to climb the light heavyweight rankings.
What’s Next for UFC Judging?
The controversy surrounding UFC 315 has reignited calls for judging reform. Many fighters and analysts have suggested that the UFC should implement open scoring, allowing competitors to see the judges’ scores in real time. Others believe that former fighters should be involved in judging, ensuring that decisions reflect actual fight dynamics.
Conclusion: A Fight That Will Be Remembered
While Bukauskas walked away with the victory at UFC 315, the controversial judging has overshadowed the fight itself. Whether this result will lead to changes in UFC officiating or simply remain a debated moment in MMA history, one thing is certain—this bout will be remembered for years to come.
