Gilbert Burns calls for judging reform after controversial UFC Vegas 14 verdict

By Tom Taylor - November 16, 2020

UFC welterweight contender Gilbert Burns is calling for judging reform after a controversial split decision verdict over the weekend.

Gilbert Burns

Like many fans, Burns, who holds the No. 2 spot in the UFC welterweight rankings, was watching Saturday’s UFC Vegas 14 card. Unfortunately, he was left with a bad taste in his mouth after the card’s main event, which pitted Rafael dos Anjos against short-notice replacement opponent Paul Felder.

While Felder fought valiantly in this contest, the widespread perception was that dos Anjos was the clear winner after five rounds. So, when cage-side judge Chris Lee scored the fight for Felder, creating a split decision, there was a fair bit of backlash—including some choice words from Burns.

“F**k these judges,” a frustrated Burns wrote on Twitter. “I’m always looking for the finish but sometimes it’s hard. These judges are doing a terrible job, wow. Please [Dana White, UFC], or whoever can help, please we cannot have our payments be decided (1 or 2 checks) by these crazy judges. That’s insane.

[UFC Vegas 14] lessons: RDA is a 155 top-5, not 170, Felder is a warrior, and one judge is terrible at his job,” Burns added.

“Who da fook is that guy?” Burns added in a Tweet that included the scorecards for the fight. “Chris Lee?”

What do you think of these complaints from Gilbert Burns? Does MMA judging need an overhaul?


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Gilbert Burns UFC