- Judge Howie Booth was removed from the panel for fighting
- Fans were calling for his head after the shocking result
- UFC 305 also saw a scary win for Jesus
Australian heavyweight Tai Tuivasa suffered his fifth consecutive defeat after losing to Jairzinho Rozenstruik via split decision at UFC 305 in Perth, but one judge’s scorecard stole the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Tuivasa was battered in the second round of Sunday’s battle at a sold-out RAC Arena, but judge Howie Booth left fight fans shocked and angry when he scored the three-round bout 30-27 for the Australian.
The other two judges scored the fight 30-27 and 29-28 for Rozenstruik, meaning Tuivasa has not tasted victory in the Octagon since February 2022.
Booth was then removed from the judging panel for another fight on the card, Steve Erceg vs Kai Kara-France.
Fans erupted on social media after the scorecards were read.
“30-27 for Tai Tuivasa could be one of the worst scorecards ever recorded. Fire that referee immediately,” wrote one.
“30-27 in favor of Tai? Judge Howie Booth should be fired!” another added.
MMA reporter Mike Bohn wrote: “30-27 for Tai Tuivasa. That’s total insanity.”
It was obvious to fight fans that Tai Tuivasa (left) lost his UFC 305 fight to Jairzinho Rozenstruik (right), but one judge saw it very differently… and he lost his job as a result.
Tuivasa (right) was attacked in the second round and was unable to score a late knockout.
Many fans agreed with every word of this tweet after judge Howie Booth scored the fight for Tuivasa, 30-27.
Another fight fan said Booth’s effort “might be the worst result of all time in the UFC.”
In a bid to end his slump, Tuivasa had flown to Dubai to train for his final fight, hoping the change of scenery would help him escape distractions like his friends and the pub.
The first round was a quiet fight, in which neither fighter was able to land any decisive blows.
The second round erupted with two minutes remaining when Rozenstruik attacked after Tuivasa hurt his leg while kicking.
Rozenstruik landed a series of heavy blows that left Tuivasa bloodied and fighting for his life, but the Australian managed to counterattack several times to ensure he made it to the bell.
Australian Stewart Nicoll looked lifeless on the canvas (pictured) on the UFC 305 preliminary card when Jesus Aguilar choked him unconscious.
Aguilar (left) showed great sportsmanship by manipulating Nicoll’s legs to force blood back to his head in terrifying scenes immediately after his victory.
Tuivasa took some more heavy blows in the third round, and his flurry of finishing punches in an attempt to score a knockout fell short.
There was a sickening moment in an undercard fight when Australian Stewart Nicoll was knocked unconscious after being choked by Jesus Aguilar in the first round.
The Mexican’s guillotine was incredibly effective, but the referee didn’t detect how bad the Australian was until Aguilar alerted him.
“He’s out, he’s sleeping!” shouted the American commentators as Aguilar shook off Nicoll, who appeared lifeless on the Octagon floor.
Aguilar then demonstrated great sportsmanship by grabbing his opponent’s legs and beginning to move them back and forth in an attempt to get the blood back to his head.
Nicoll quickly recovered and was able to stand up and congratulate his rival on the victory before leaving the octagon.