Judges Gonna Judge: Was Calvin Kattar snubbed in split decision loss to Josh Emmett at UFC on ESPN 37?

Welcome to “Judges Gonna Judge,” where our MMA Junkie staff panel revisits the most controversial decision that occurred over the weekend.

This week, we take a look at the UFC main event showdown in the capitol of the Lone Star State, a five-round featherweight battle between Josh Emmett and Calvin Kattar. The fight headlined UFC on ESPN 37 at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas.

On a night filled with stoppages, the bout scheduled for the longest time saw the final horn, and ultimately sparked the latest MMA judging debate after Emmett was announced the winner by split decision.

Two of the five rounds were split among the three men who rendered their decision. Rounds 1, 3, and 5 were scored identically by each judge, but Round 2 and Round 4 resulted in differing opinions.

Official judges Chris Lee and Doug Crosby scored the second round in Kattar’s favor, while Sal D’Amato saw it for Emmett. Lee scored the fourth round for Emmett, while Crosby and D’Amato gave it to Kattar. Ultimately Emmett earned 48-47 totals from Lee and D’Amato, while Crosby turned in a 48-47 for Kattar.

Of the 19 media scores submitted on MMA Decisions, 14 scorecards saw the fight for Kattar, including one 49-46 scorecard. The 5 scorecards for Emmett were all 48-47 totals.

MMA Junkie’s Matthew Wells, Farah Hannoun, and Nolan King put on their judging hats and break the fight down by each round.