Breaking News: UITable Senior MMA correspondent reports on wild controversy after UFC 315 as fans and experts dispute judges’ call in Jose Aldo vs. Aiemann Zahabi bout. Former two-time UFC Featherweight Champion Aldo believed to have won early rounds, badly hurting Zahabi in the final round with knees and kicks, only to see teammate of Georges St-Pierre secure a late rally and controversial unanimous decision victory in Montreal. Legendary referee John McCarthy defends judges’ decision, citing Aldo’s body language and late-round fatigue, while former UFC star Josh Thomson claims Aldo was ‘robbed’ by potentially biased judges.
MMA World ablaze: Close Call at UFC 315 – Jose Aldo vs. Aiemann Zahabi debated, hours after the bell
Montreal, Canada – MMA enthusiasts are still buzzing in the aftermath of UFC 315, as the debate rages on over who truly took home the win in the contentious bantamweight bout between former two-time UFC Featherweight Champion, Jose Aldo, and Canadian contender, Aiemann Zahabi.
Judges’ Split Decision: Zahabi Hometown Victor or Robbery?
Results are in, and Aiemann Zahabi took home the unanimous decision victory over the beloved Brazilian, Jose Aldo. However, the critics are out in full force, arguing that Aldo’s aggressive start and late comeback in the final round should have clinched him the win. So, what happened?
The first two rounds were fiercely contested, with Aldo landing 76 significant strikes to Zahabi’s 72, according to UFC stats. But it was the dramatic final round that had fans on the edge of their seats and judges pens scratching.
‘Big’ John McCarthy weighs in: Body language sealed the deal for Zahabi
Legendary MMA referee, ‘Big’ John McCarthy, believes Zahabi’s determination and strategy in the final round were pivotal in swaying the judges’ favor.
McCarthy, speaking on the Weighing In Podcast, argued, “It’s not just about the shots, it’s about the intangibles. Aldo’s body language, his visible fatigue – all those signs pointed to Zahabi’s victory.” However, former UFC fighter Josh Thomson vehemently disagreed, insisting, “Aldo was just tired, taking small elbows… the blood influenced the decision.”
Thomson slams ‘biased’ judges: “Aldo got robbed!”
Fuming over the decision, ex-UFC star Josh Thomson took to social media to express his disbelief, “The judges are just f***** biased… Zahabi’s hometown hero status clouded their judgment.” He’s not alone in his sentiments; countless MMA fans online have echoed similar frustrations.
Thomson also nodded to the controversial decision between Modestas Bukauskas and Ion Cutelaba on the same card, suggesting a pattern of judge-driven dissatisfaction at UFC 315.
Future MMA Trends: Age, experience, or hometown hero bias?
As MMA continues to evolve, so too do its trends. So, what might this Aldo vs. Zahabi debate tell us about the future?
- Age and experience may no longer be decisive factors. At 37, Aldo’s recent struggles have raised questions about complacency vs. age-related decline. Meanwhile, Zahabi’s impressive comeback at 38 hints at a new trend of late-career resurgence.
- Hometown hero bias is a growing concern. As seen in Montreal, judging bias in favor of local fighters could become an unfortunate trend. MMA governing bodies should reinforce fair judging criteria to remedy this.
FAQs – Your burning questions answered
- Q: What was the judges’ scorecard?
- A: All three judges scored it 29-28 for Aiemann Zahabi.
- Q: Should Jose Aldo retire after this loss?
- A: That’s a personal decision for Aldo. Despite the loss, his legacy as a two-time UFC champion remains intact.
- Q: Will we see a rematch between Aldo and Zahabi?
- A: It’s uncertain. Both fighters’ futures in the UFC are now unwritten chapters in an ongoing saga.
What do you think, MMA fans? Should the decision have gone to Aldo, or did Zahabi truly deserve the win? Is bias in judging a growing concern in MMA, and if so, how can we address it? Sound off in the comments below, and don’t forget to explore more 247sports.new articles for your daily MMA fix!