Following 25 grueling minutes (for spectators) on Friday, the Bellator MMA middleweight title fight between Rafael Carvalho and Melvin Manhoef went to a judges’ decision. The champion Carvalho, who had done next to nothing to win the fight, was declared the winner via split decision on 48-47, 47-48 and 48-47 scorecards. Announcers Jimmy Smith and Sean Grande were apoplectic. Message boards exploded in anger. Even referee John McCarthy seemed disgusted. It was greeted an all-time embarrassment of a decision.
Hold your horses. The upset and tumult might be better off pointed in another direction or saved for another occasion.