On a night where nine of the 10 UFC bouts went the distance, there were bound to be some differences of opinion.
There was some controversy around the inaugural women’s featherweight title fight before Germaine de Randamie was awarded the win, while the other co-main wasn’t without its contentious moments.
Anderson Silva claimed victory over Derek Brunson via unanimous decision, with the three-round fight being ruled 29-28, 29-28 and 30-27 in the Brazilian’s favour.
But Brunson felt his arm should have been lifted, and he has another influential figure in agreement – UFC President Dana White.
Look at what it means to @SpiderAnderson! 🕷 #UFC208 pic.twitter.com/IRaux6Mabh
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) February 12, 2017
“I actually had the fight 1-1 going into the third round, and I gave the third round to Brunson,” White told Fox Sports 1, as transcribed by MMA Fighting.
“He’s obviously very upset, and you know, he said, ‘listen, this is how I support my family. And now I won’t get my win bonus when I feel like I won the fight’,” he added, while confirming he received a text from the American after the result.
“It has nothing to do with me. You can text me, and I can feel for him, but it has nothing to do with me.
“You have to beat your opponent, and you have to beat the judges, unfortunately. That’s the business.”
Brunson has now lost twice on the spin, having previously won seven of his first eight UFC bouts, and the loss to Silva leaves him with a 16-5 career MMA record.
