Friday night saw two controversial split decisions at Bellator 181.
A.J. Mathews vs. Andre Fialho
&
Romero Cotton vs. Aaron Rodriguez
Coming in, A.J., on the heels of 3-straight losses, fighting firecracker 8-1 favorite Andre Fialho.
This was a very good fight, but I thought A.J. won the 3rd round, presumably the deciding round, decisively.
A total robbery as the fight went to Fialho, who looked like he'd already accepted defeat well before the decision was rendered.
And, the highly touted debut of Romero Cotton vs. the relatively unknown feeder Aaron Rodriguez.
Notably in the split, were judges scoring the bout 30-27, but for opposite fighters.
Although Romero controlled NCAA style, the only significant strikes were landed by the well-composed Rodriguez.
The decision went to Cotton, in a fight where seemingly one judge was scoring with heavy emphasis on the old judging criteria, with another seemingly judging with a heavy emphasis and singularly realized understanding of the new judging criteria.
Thoughts for those who watched?
@CutmanMatt
A.J. Mathews vs. Andre Fialho
&
Romero Cotton vs. Aaron Rodriguez
Coming in, A.J., on the heels of 3-straight losses, fighting firecracker 8-1 favorite Andre Fialho.
This was a very good fight, but I thought A.J. won the 3rd round, presumably the deciding round, decisively.
A total robbery as the fight went to Fialho, who looked like he'd already accepted defeat well before the decision was rendered.
And, the highly touted debut of Romero Cotton vs. the relatively unknown feeder Aaron Rodriguez.
Notably in the split, were judges scoring the bout 30-27, but for opposite fighters.
Although Romero controlled NCAA style, the only significant strikes were landed by the well-composed Rodriguez.
The decision went to Cotton, in a fight where seemingly one judge was scoring with heavy emphasis on the old judging criteria, with another seemingly judging with a heavy emphasis and singularly realized understanding of the new judging criteria.
Thoughts for those who watched?
@CutmanMatt
