UFC 247: Texas commission responds to judging controversy and Joe Rogan’s on-air claims that judge was ‘literally not watching’ the fight

The Texas Department of Licensure and Regulation says it took UFC’s judge and referee recommendations into consideration

The commission explains claims of a judge ‘looking at the floor’ during a fight are because of ringside video monitors

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Dominick Reyes leans on the Octagon after losing to Jon Jones at UFC 247 on Sunday. Photo: AP

Published: 10:00pm, 11 Feb 2020Updated: 6:22am, 12 Feb 2020

The presiding Texas Department of Licensure and Regulation has released a statement in response to the series of controversial judging at last weekend’s UFC 247 Houston card.

The judgment of three fights, including headliner Jon Jones vs Dominick Reyes, was the subject of intense scrutiny from the likes of UFC president Dana White, analyst Joe Rogan and some of the fighters themselves.

Many of the comments were directed at judge Joe Solis, who scored the fight 49-46 in Jones’ favour. Several pundits not only gave the fight to Reyes, but expressed their scepticism towards how Jones was judged to have won four of the five rounds.

“As in all athletics events, athletes, teams, judges, fans and media representatives can – and often do – have differing opinions about what happened in a combative sports match,” the commission spokesperson Tela Mange told MMA Junkie.

“[The commission] applauds the passion everyone is exhibiting about this sport. Comments have been made about the selection of the judges and the referees.

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