UFC 308 has already gotten off to a shocking start in the eyes of fans following a controversial points decision.
In the very first fight of the night, Russia’s Rinat Fakhretdinov was awarded a unanimous decision victory over Carlos Leal.
Carlos Leal was the underdog heading into the bout@MMASharke1 via X
But thousands of UFC fans had him winning the fight, having rocked the Russian numerous times@MMASharke1 via X
However, many UFC fans have agreed in their opinion that Leal clearly got the better of his opponent throughout the bout.
It seems the Brazilian did far more damage to Fakhretdinov in the first and second round, while landing the more significant strikes.
Judge Mike Bell scored the contest 29-28 as did David Lethaby.
Meanwhile Hadi Mohamed Ali, however, awarded all three rounds to Fakhretdinov, scoring the bout 30-27.
This left MMA fans around the world furious about the decision.
Taking to X, one posted: “That’s the worst decision I’ve ever seen, that 30-27 is top three worst scorecards I’ve ever seen.”
While another added: “Abu Dhabi just ruined Carlos Leal’s career.”
A third commented: “Oh my God. Carlos Leal went out to Abu Dhabi on short notice to get blatantly robbed.”
A fourth said: “First robbery of the night. Carlos Leal clearly won the first and second. Stop going there to fight. Absolute joke.”
And a fifth added: “That might be one of the worst robberies I’ve ever seen.”
This fan then stated: “Carlos Leal went out to Abu Dhabi on short notice to get blatantly robbed.”
UFC President Dana White was not happy with the judges at UFC 307, which took place on October 5.
The card was headlined by Alex Pereira as he battered and stopped Khalil Rountree to make the latest routine defence of his light heavyweight title.
He called the judging ‘atrocious’ at UFC 307 after MMA legends Jose Aldo and Carla Esparza were on the receiving end of controversial defeats.
UFC 308 sees Ilia Topuria put his featherweight belt on the line against Max Holloway.
He picked up the belt for the first time after knocking out Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 in February.
Volkanovski has proved to be Holloway’s kryptonite during his UFC career, as the latter lost three featherweight title bouts to the Australian between 2019 and 2022.
Robert Whittaker faces Khamzat Chimaev in a five-round co-main event, while Manchester’s Lerone Murphy also features on the main card as he takes on Dan Ige.
No.1 ranked light heavyweight Magomed Ankalaev faces Alexsandar Rakic and Shara Magonedov fights Armen Petrosyan on the main card too.
UK fans can watch all of the main card fights on TNT Sports Box Office from 7pm BST tonight.
