Mixed martial arts (MMA) often leave spectators with their eyes glued to the screen due to thrilling, closely contested fights. However, when these battles end in a draw, it tends to spark dialogues and discussions among enthusiasts and pundits alike. A draw implies an evenly matched contest, making followers of the sport question the rightful winner. In the illustrious history of UFC, an array of prominent fights have concluded in this disputable manner, resulting in debates on the victor even long after the final bell.
One such legendary battle was played out in the UFC’s heavyweight division between Mark Hunt and Antonio Silva in 2013. It was a gruelling five-round contest that originally ended in a majority draw, with one adjudicator favoring Hunt. Hunt’s superior striking proficiency and his late-fight ascendancy were the core arguments from those considering him the rightful winner. The controversy was deepened due to Silva’s failure of a post-fight drug screening.
In the lightweight category, fans were treated to a high-stakes title duel between Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard. The sheer resilience demonstrated by Edgar as he clawed his way back from a first-round near-defeat kept viewers riveted. Despite Maynard’s early dominance in the fight, many supporters believed Edgar’s gutsy comeback ultimately merited a successful title defense. The judges’ decision of a split draw set the stage for an eagerly awaited trilogy fight.
Talking about evenly contested encounters, the initial fight in the four-part saga between flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo and challenger Brandon Moreno deserves a special mention. An electrifying battle ended in a majority draw after Figueiredo was penalized for a foul. Interestingly, a significant section of followers believed the penalty was justified, while they also pondered whether Figueiredo’s performance surpassed Moreno’s efforts despite the deduction.
The showdown between Bobby Green and Lando Vannata served as a testament to high-octane display of skills. An unrelenting pace, a roller-coaster of momentum shifts, and moments of knockdowns defined their spirited clash. Views diverged on the ultimate outcome – some disagreed with the judges’ call for a split draw, contending Vannata’s early winning streak or crediting Green’s dominance in later stages of the match had done enough to seal the victory.
Tyron Woodley and Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson met in their premier welterweight title bout that concluded in a majority draw. Woodley’s initial dominance and his success in putting Thompson in a tight spot were the highlights of the match. However, Thompson’s recovery and his subsequent fightback led to a captivating contest. Many followers suggested that the match should have swung in Woodley’s favor due to his notable early knockdown.
Another recent event that caused a stir was the second match-up of Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko for the women’s flyweight belt. The bout ended in a split draw, with opinions deeply divided over the true winner. Shevchenko’s technical prowess was formidable, but excitement sparked around Grasso’s show-stopping attempt at finishing the fight in the final round. Thus, developing a debate favoring Shevchenko’s tactical strength versus Grasso’s devastating potential.
The light heavyweight title bout between Magomed Ankalaev and Jan Blachowicz drifted towards controversy when it wound up in a split draw. The fight progressed with Blachowicz’s initial success with leg kicks and Ankalaev’s supremacy in grappling during the concluding rounds. The judges’ decision was met with criticism as many believed Ankalaev’s late dominance was enough to secure him the win.
One of the historic fights, staged as part of a four-man qualifying competition to declare the first-ever UFC flyweight champion, saw Demetrious Johnson and Ian McCall. This tightly contested affair ended with McCall’s dominating performance in the final round. The consensus among most observers was that McCall had dominated the last round decisively, thus meriting an outright win or at least tilting the judgment in his favor. Subsequently, a rematch was scheduled to settle the debate.
PJ Penn and Jon Fitch entertained the audience with a welterweight clash, and it, too, ended in a majority draw. The fight was notable for Penn’s early mastery over striking and grappling techniques, overshadowed by Fitch’s unwavering persistence and control in the latter stages. Many felt that Fitch, particularly due to his commanding third round, was robbed of a just victory. The anticipation of a straight win was marred by the resulting draw, leading to disappointment among fans who championed for Fitch.
In an awe-inspiring battle at UFC 230, Matt Frevola and Lando Vannata exhibited an intense encounter that caught everyone’s attention. Frevola’s relentless blend of striking and wrestling combined with Vannata’s excellent defensive movements and counters left an impression on all spectators. Although the bout concluded in a draw, a majority of fans expressed that the pressure and control exerted by Frevola should have delivered him the victory.