Fight fans may have to brace themselves after the opening bout of UFC 302 saw quite the controversial scorecard in a one-sided victory.
The early prelims for UFC 302 opened with a bout between The Ultimate Fighter alumnus Mitch Raposo and Andre Lima. While Lima committed a couple of fouls in the opening round to get a hard warning, Raposo put together little offence of note throughout the fight.
One judge, Dave Tirelli, however, seemed to be watching a completely different fight and awarded the bout to Raposo with a 29-28 score. The remaining two judges, however, scored the fight for Lima, earning him a split decision.
The score in Raposo’s favor, however, was enough to get Joe Rogan and Daniel Cormier, on the commentary desk for UFC 302, to openly criticize officiating and scoring of fights.
Joe Rogan is in favor open scoring. ✅pic.twitter.com/XrzE2KE0BK
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) June 1, 2024
“I’ve really been an advocate for open scoring and more judges,” Rogan said. “I think three judges is too few.” He also said that “they should be ashamed” to produce a scorecard in favor of Raposo.
Daniel Cormier also echoed Rogan’s sentiments, heavily criticising the judge with the errant scorecard – Dave Tirelli.
MMA Community Goes Off On Judge Who Scored Fight For Mitch Raposo Over Andre Lima At UFC 302
Bro wtf. How is this a split decision???? Clearest 30-27 I’ve ever seen. That scorecard must be investigated immediately. Is this a sick joke??? #UFC302
— Dan (@BestFightPicks) June 1, 2024
NAH WHO IS SCORING THAT FOR RAPOSO
WE NEED THEIR HEAD. AINT NO WAY. #UFC302
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) June 1, 2024
🚨| NOTE: Dave Tirelli, the judge who scored the fight for Mitch Raposo, is scheduled to judge the #UFC302 co-main event between Sean Strickland and Paulo Costa. pic.twitter.com/Ll1bbHyYBP
— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) June 1, 2024
Dave Tirelli is a fucking idiot
29-28 Raposo is an absolute horrendous score card and he should be removed for the rest of the night
— Alex Behunin (@AlexBehunin) June 1, 2024
What did Dave Tirelli watch? 🤣 #UFC302
— Marcel Dorff 🇳🇱🇮🇩 (@BigMarcel24) June 1, 2024
Judge Dave Tirelli gave that fight 29-28 to Mitch Raposo and he should be removed from the building immediately.
That's an abhorrent scorecard. #UFC302
— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) June 1, 2024
Dave Tirelli 29-28 Raposo is one of the worst scorecards you will ever see.
Complete garbage. #UFC302
— Adam Martin (@MMAdamMartin) June 1, 2024
Don’t know who Dave Tirelli is but you need to stand up and exit that building. No bathroom break. Just leave. #UFC302 @Jon_Anik https://t.co/JN9YbNBepO
— Mista Medina(Chris Medina) (@medinaslawn) June 1, 2024
Dave Tirelli might give Sal D'Amato competition for the worst judge in all of MMA.
— Gage Ryan (@GageRyanVideo) June 1, 2024
Dave "Leg Kicks Don't Count" Tirelli #ufc302 https://t.co/e2euaa0aRT
— BrittonHess (@BrittonHess) June 1, 2024
I think you could make an argument for giving Raposo Round 2. But giving him Round 1 should be grounds for an immediate dismissal for Dave Tirelli tonight. #UFC302
— Adam Martin (@MMAdamMartin) June 1, 2024
Arrest Dave Tirelli.
He should never judge any fight in his life ever again! WHATT! #UFC302 https://t.co/4ljf2Lfyxn— Buchi Laba (@Buchi_Laba) June 1, 2024
Dave Tirelli, that has to be rigged. Judging overhaul needs to happen sooner than later in mma.
— Jack Page ☘️ (@JackCityy) June 1, 2024
This was Lima’s first fight following his UFC debut, which he won in peculiar circumstances by disqualification after opponent Igor Severino bit him.
Raposo, who was making his UFC debut, saw a four-fight win streak snapped with this loss.
