Controversial judging as light heavyweight title still vacant

Controversy reigned in the T-Mobile Arena as two controversial judging calls brought an anticlimactic end to an otherwise spectacular night at UFC 282 in Las Vegas.

Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev fought to a split draw, with the judges scoring the fight 48-47 Blachowicz, 48-46 Ankalaev and 47-47. Sal D’Amato was the judge who scored it a draw.

Blachowicz told Joe Rogan that he thought Ankalaev won. An upset Ankalaev was ready to walk out of the UFC.

“I don’t know if I’m going to fight for this organization again because, honestly, I don’t know what just happened,” Ankalaev said.

Takes a hell of a man to lay it out like that. 👏

Absolute class as always from 🇵🇱 @JanBlachowicz. #UFC282 pic.twitter.com/d06fnfG8EP

— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) December 11, 2022

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Both fighters’ efforts went for naught due to the judges’ scorecards.

The title initially was vacant because Jiri Prochazka suffered an injury training for a rematch against former champion Glover Teixeira. It is unknown if Blachowicz and Ankalaev will run it back.

The #UFC282 main event ends in a split draw. pic.twitter.com/ym9PvdFgDs

— UFC (@ufc) December 11, 2022