Once again, MMA judging is under fire. Holly Holm, former UFC bantamweight champ, lost to Ketlen Vieira at UFC Vegas 55, according to a split decision that saw two judges score it 48-47 for Vieira, and one score it 48-47 for Holm. At the post-fight show, Holly Holm, who outstruck her opponent for much of the fight, vented her frustration, echoing many fans’ sentiments in the process.
“It’s just frustrating, because I think a lot of times these judges haven’t been through a training camp and see what you put on the line, and then when it comes short, just because they decide, ‘Well maybe I’ll throw this round here or this round there.’
Holly Holm Opens Up About Vieira Loss: “I truly felt in my heart that I won the fight”
I don’t agree with them. I’m pretty upset with them.
I know it’s a hard position to be in, to be the judge, you have to make that decision right there, but I felt like I won.”
Holm’s plan for most of the fight consisted of clinching with her opponent and landing short, sharp strikes. Vieira did attempt a rear naked choke at the end of the second round, which saw Holm saved by the buzzer, but Holly Holm controlled most of the bout otherwise.
“I felt like she had round two but at the end of the fight, I truly felt in my heart that I won the fight. So I’m disappointed.
I really don’t give her three rounds. You would have to give her three rounds to win the fight. I don’t really give her three rounds. But I always want perfection on my side so I want to make it so clear that there’s not even a question but I really felt like I won the fight.”
Holm, whose lethal boxing saw her knock out Ronda Rousey to claim her first UFC title, admits that she failed to do enough damage to turn the tide.
“I wanted to be more damaging there. Yeah, there was the punches and I could hold her there, and she’s usually really good with her trips off the cage and stuff like that. She got me off of my feet a couple times, but that’s her game, and I was able to shut it down. But I still wanted to be more damaging in those areas.
After round two, I felt like it was 1-1 and I was like we’re starting a whole new fight right now and we’ve got to win the rest of this.”
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