Israel Adesanya shockingly reveals how controversial judging could hurt Kai Kara-France with baby on the way

UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya lashes out on judges following controversial decision in teammate Kai Kara-France's fight. Demands accountability and calls for reform


Israel Adesanya shockingly reveals how controversial judging could hurt Kai Kara-France with baby on the way

Israel Adesanya lashes out on judges following Kai Kara-France decision ( Image source: L/R- Getty Images )

Israel Adesanya, the current UFC Middleweight Champion, has once again expressed his frustration with the controversial scoring in MMA. Following his teammate Kai Kara-France‘s closely contested bout against Amir Albazi at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Adesanya took to social media to voice his disappointment with the judge’s decision.

Many viewers believed Kara-France was the winner. But it was Albazi who emerged victorious with a split decision. The fight had been a hard-fought five-round battle. The scoring by official judges Chris Lee and Sal D’Amato left Israel Adesanya dissatisfied. The third judge, Mike Bell, scored the fight 48-47 for Kara-France.

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Adesanya immediately expressed his discontent on Twitter. He launched a series of tweets targeting the judges. He calls for the removal of Chris Lee and Sal D’Amato, even before they read the official scores. Adesanya firmly believed that these judges would “mess it up”. Adesanya questions how often judges rob athletes of their well-deserved glory, money, and livelihood for their families. The only judge who scored the fight correctly, according to Adesanya, was Mike Bell.

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In a calmer tweet, Adesanya proposed an idea that has been circulating within the MMA community for some time. He suggested that judges be interviewed after fights and held accountable for their decisions. This call for transparency and accountability is not new, as controversial judging results have sparked similar discussions in the past.

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Israel Adesanya reveals Kai Kara-France’s family situation; lashes out on judges

Israel Adesanya
Adesanya speaks on MMA judges ( Image source: Getty Images )

The recent split decision loss suffered by Kai Kara-France was not his first brush with controversy. In a previous UFC fight, he also experienced a split decision, but on that occasion, he emerged as the victor. However, the defeat against Albazi marked his second consecutive loss. He had previously made an unsuccessful attempt to claim the interim title against Brandon Moreno. Adesanya’s impassioned plea for accountability resonated deeply, particularly because Kara-France has a family and their financial stability is at stake, especially with a baby on the way.

During an interview on “The MMA Hour,” Adesanya, known as “The Last Stylebender,” emphasized the need for judges to face consequences for their scoring decisions. He highlighted the impact on fighters’ livelihoods and expressed the urgency of holding judges accountable. Adesanya proposed that judges should be required to explain their decisions at post-fight press conferences. They need to justify their scoring and provide transparency to fighters and fans alike. The inconsistency and subjectivity of judging decisions have long been a point of contention. Fighters, fans, and industry professionals alike have questioned the fairness of the current system. By demanding transparency and explanations from judges, Adesanya aims to preserve the integrity and fairness of MMA.

Whether Adesanya’s plea for increased accountability will be met remains to be seen. However, it is clear that the need for transparency and fair judging in MMA is more evident than ever. The sport’s governing bodies must address these concerns and work towards ensuring that fighters receive the outcomes they deserve. Until then, fighters like Kai Kara-France will continue to face the consequences of controversial scoring decisions, emphasizing the urgency for change in the MMA judging system.

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