Referee removed from UFC 305 after controversial decision in Rozenstruik-Tuivasa fight | News, results, highlights, stats and rumors
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The Combat Sports Commission of Western Australia removed referee Howie Booth midway through UFC 305 on Saturday night after he was the dissenting voice in Jairzinho Rozenstruik’s split decision victory over Tai Tuivasa.
Booth gave Tuivasa each of the three rounds and his score was a stark contrast to that of his two colleagues.
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Howie Booth, who lost all three rounds to Tai Tuivasa, was relieved of his duties for the rest of the evening, Jon Anik announced during the #UFC305 transmitted. pic.twitter.com/81siV6EL0K
There is always room for interpretation when judging a fight, but it was difficult to understand how anyone could see Tuivasa as the winner on Saturday. Rozenstruik landed more than twice as many hits (92) as his opponent (37) and was far more efficient in attack.
Like many others, the Surinamese heavyweight was confused by Booth’s score.
MMA Junkie @MMAJunkie
Jairzinho Rozenstruik was pleased to learn that Judge Howie Booth had been relieved of his #UFC305 tasks after scoring an incredible 30-27 result for Tai Tuivasa. pic.twitter.com/BujEGgwZPl
Jairzinho “BIGI BOY” Rosenstruik @JairRozenstruik
Howie Booth up? #UFC305
UFC CEO Dave Shaw said the decision to relieve Booth of his duties was not in the federation’s hands. He added that removing referees after particularly questionable decisions was, by and large, a “good system of checks and balances.”
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UFC manager Dave Shaw reacts to Australian Commission’s dismissal of judge Howie Booth #UFC305 after his outrageous score of 30-27 for Tai Tuivasa. pic.twitter.com/UXQSWeUB8e
MMA fights Damon Martin noted that Booth was originally scheduled to sit at the judges’ table for the co-main event between Kai Kara-France and Steve Erceg, with Ben Cartlidge set to take his place.
The judges were ultimately not needed as Kara-France won by TKO in the first round.
The way the Combat Sports Commission handled the situation could serve as an example for others, as they acted relatively quickly and most likely prevented it from developing into a larger controversy.
