Coach Mike Winkeljohn admitted to BJPenn.com that he was already “planning the celebration” when Holm vs Vieira went to the judges’ scorecards. The upset victory, which saw the judges favoring Ketlen Vieira in a split decision, has been nothing short of controversial. Winkeljohn knows that controversy in MMA judging is nothing new, but this one stings in a whole new way.
“When it went to the scorecards, we were already planning our celebration. We were a tad disappointed we didn’t get the finish but there were a lot of things that were going on behind the scenes, but I still thought we easily won the fight.
Holly Holm’s Coach Blasts UFC Judges
Definitely expecting a win and was just shocked we lost. When we heard a split decision, I thought one judge was just a goofball and the third judge would get it right, but nope that didn’t happen.
After the fight you saw Holly and Ketlen’s reaction, fighters know, corners know who really won, and you heard your corner in between rounds. That’s all I can say, I’m just disappointed because it’s not fair to the fighters.”
Winkeljohn in particular lamented the lack of fight knowledge and training among the judges. While strikes to the head are obvious and easy to score, some judges have yet to catch on to the recent increase in leg kicking as a viable MMA strategy.
“Some judges don’t understand that body kicks and leg kicks take their toll and people don’t give them enough credit, it’s a shame.
It’s a shame because you are talking about a potential title shot and in my mind was ‘win this one and then get a title shot and after that maybe she (Holm) gets into boxing and gets that Katie Taylor fight’. What a great way to end her career and all that got taken away from now at least from some guys watching something else.”
Holly Holm comprehensively outstruck Ketlen Vieira, and spent most of the fight controlling the clinch against the cage. Vieira did manage to take an early round by almost submitting the former champ, but Holm found herself saved by the bell. Near misses, in theory, aren’t enough to swing an entire fight in one fighter’s favor, but this fight proves otherwise.
Do you think Holly Holm was robbed against Ketlen Vieira? Would you want to see a rematch to sort it all out? Let us know in the comments.
