The MMA community is boycotting judge Douglas Crosby after two controversial scorecards in one weekend.
Crosby made appearances at Bellator 289 in Connecticut and UFC 282 in Las Vegas the next day. The longtime MMA judges contributed to two questionable decisions. He first turned in a 50-45 scorecard for Danny Sabatello, who lost to Raufeon Stots in the Bellator 289 main event by a split decision (48-47 x2).
Crosby then joined judges Chris Lee and Ron McCarthy with matching scorecards of 29-28 for Paddy Pimblett over Jared Gordon at UFC 282. There was plenty of backlash from fighters, media members, and fans. Some of the shocked reactions included:
“Doug Crosby handed in arguably the worst scorecard of all time last night — 50-45 for Sabatello was the first time in MMA history the loser of a fight got a 50-45 scorecard — and he faces no repercussions. Get to fly to Vegas to screw over Jared Gordon. I’m sick of it. #UFC282 – Doug Martin of MMAFighting”
Doug Crosby handed in arguably the worst scorecard of all time last night — 50-45 for Sabatello was the first time in MMA history the loser of a fight got a 50-45 scorecard — and he faces no repercussions. Get to fly to Vegas to screw over Jared Gordon. I'm sick of it. #UFC282
— Adam Martin (@MMAdamMartin) December 11, 2022
“Still can’t get over that Doug Crosby turned in two of the worst scorecards of 2022 in back-to-back days on opposite sides of the country. What a weekend this man had. -Shaheen Al-Shatti of MMAFighting”
Still can't get over that Doug Crosby turned in two of the worst scorecards of 2022 in back-to-back days on opposite sides of the country. What a weekend this man had.
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) December 11, 2022
“The judge who made this dubious history, Doug Crosby, is one of the judges who scored it 29-28 for Pimblett. He worked a show in CT on Friday. Then flies across the country to deliver another suspect scorecard. And yet, nothing will happen and he’ll never have to answer for it. -Ariel Helwani of MMAFighting”
The judge who made this dubious history, Doug Crosby, is one of the judges who scored it 29-28 for Pimblett.
He worked a show in CT on Friday. Then flies across the country to deliver another suspect scorecard. And yet, nothing will happen and he’ll never have to answer for it. https://t.co/czB3vRplPz
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) December 11, 2022
The lack of transparency in MMA judging has been a hot topic in 2022. Crosby’s latest controversial scorecards raise questions about MMA judges not having to answer to the media. If they were required to explain their reasoning, coaches and fighters might be able to better understand what is needed to win a decision.
Ali Abdelaziz wants Douglas Crosby removed as a judge by every state commission
Ali Abdelaziz, the president of Dominance MMA Management, has never been shy of voicing his opinion. Abdelaziz was one of many who believe Douglas Crosby should be reprimanded for his controversial scorecards over the past weekend. He had this to say on Twitter:
“I’m going to ask every commission out there not to have Douglas Crosby as judge, and I would like the support of all promotions these guy are ruining people life and ruining the sport enough is enough we have to stand together on this topic @bokamotoESPN @JohnMorgan_MMA”
I’m going to ask every commission out there not to have Douglas Crosby as judge, and I would like the support of all promotions these guy are ruining people life and ruining the sport enough is enough we have to stand together on this topic @bokamotoESPN @JohnMorgan_MMA
— Ali Abdelaziz (@AliAbdelaziz00) December 11, 2022
I will never understand how Douglas Crosby is still assigned big events after his absolutely off the wall appearances on Chael Sonnen's podcast.
Unfortunately, the audio no longer exists, but if you heard them, you understand.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) December 11, 2022
Despite the massive backlash, Crosby will likely not face any consequences. There has been plenty of questionable judges’ decisions that seem to be forgotten over time. With that said, the need for transparency in MMA judging continues to escalate.
