Edson Barboza’s team won’t appeal his UFC on ESPN 8 defeat to Dan Ige, simply because they can’t.
After Barboza (20-9 MMA, 14-9 UFC) lost a debatable split decision loss to Ige (14-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC) in his featherweight debut Saturday, there was a level of outrage over the result. Barboza’s manager, Alex Davis, was chief among them, taking to social media and declaring an appeal would be filed over what he believes were blatantly inaccurate scores.
Unfortunately, that’s not an option. Davis told MMA Junkie on Sunday that he had a productive conversation with Florida State Boxing Commission head Patrick Cunningham after the bout, but was informed the state only reviews decisions under two specific circumstances.
“We wanted to come in front of them and analyze the fight and show them the decision was wrong,” Davis told MMA Junkie. “They can’t allow it because for that to happen, I would have to accuse the judges of fraud, or Ige of having taken (performance-enhancing drugs). I have no suspicion of fraud, and I don’t think he takes PEDs. I think he’s a great fighter, and he fought really well. I can’t appeal because of that.
“The whole world saw Edson winning that fight. Nothing against Ige, he fought a great fight, and he’s a tough guy and all props to him. But the problem is, from our perspective, the scoring was wrong. We should be able to take a fight before the commission and appeal, and if they think the scoring is wrong they should be able to overturn. That doesn’t happen here. The law doesn’t permit it to.”
Although Davis disagrees with not being allowed to present an argument on behalf of his client, he said he respects the laws in place.
It’s a rather discouraging situation, though. It’s not like this is the first time Barboza has experienced it. His previous fight also saw him come out on the wrong end of a split decision last September against Paul Felder at UFC 242. Had those two gone Barboza’s way, Davis said he would be on a career upswing.
Instead, Barboza’s record paints what Davis believes is a false picture.
“These decisions have been plaguing him,” Davis said. “We had three obviously bad decisions yesterday, and we get them all over the place. The effect on his career is devastating because now he goes 1-4 in his last five fights with two fights that were controversial decisions. When people look at his record, all they see is the loss and nothing explaining how it happened or how good the fight was.”
Davis has been one of the loudest proponents of change to judging and fight scoring among top MMA managers. He believes the 10-point must system is not equipped for MMA and also said officials are not held accountable for the scores they present.
A radical adjustment is needed, Davis said, and he believes it can only happen if there’s collective action taken among power players in the fight game to get everyone on the same page.
“There’s no connect between the judges and the fighters or trainers,” Davis said. “We don’t know what they’re looking for, or we could adjust their vision to what we do or we adjust what we do to what they’re looking for. There’s a disconnect, and it’s hurting the sport.”
Edson Barboza's manager: Appealing 'devastating' UFC on ESPN 8 loss not allowed