The UFC 302 event witnessed a controversial decision in the fight between Sean Strickland and Paulo Costa. Despite Strickland's dominant performance, including a 10-9 score in Round 1 and a 40-36 score, one judge, Dave Tirelli, scored the fight 49-46 in favor of Costa, a decision widely criticized as one of the worst scorecards in UFC history. The official scorecards showed a split decision with two judges scoring 50-45 and 49-46 for Strickland, respectively. The disparity in the scoring has led to calls for better judging standards in MMA.
Sean Strickland VS Paulo Costa - Official Scorecards - Sal D'Amato & Chris Lee with the Strickland cards. Dave Tirelli with the 4-1 Costa card... smdh... #UFC #UFC302 #MMATwitter https://t.co/4nltPU5JCM
One judge scored the fight 50-45 for Sean Strickland while another scored the fight 49-46 for Costa. This is why we need the Verdict Scorecard. Sean Strickland won every single round on our scorecard. #UFC302 https://t.co/vS8rbxaInp
49-46 Costa is just incredible incompetence. #UFC302
49-46 for Costa is a crazy score card #ufc302
Dave Tirelli is the worst judge in MMA history. His 49-46 Costa and 29-28 Raposo scorecards tonight are a travesty and he should never judge a fight again. Take a bow, sir. You win the award for worst MMA judge of all time. #UFC302
49-46 Costa is the worst score card of all time #UFC302
49-46 Costa is utter insanity but okay
A judge scored it 49-46 Costa....worst scorecard in history #ufc302
49-46 Costa is absolutely bananas. What the hell was that judge watching? #UFC302
How did a judge give Costa 49-46 💀 #ufc302
One judge scored the fight 50-45 for Sean Strickland while another scored the fight 48-47 for Costa. This is why we need the Verdict Scorecard. Sean Strickland won every single round on our scorecard. #UFC302 https://t.co/aQoA1wK9HB
ONE JUDGE SCORED IT 50-45 STRICKLAND AND ANOTHER 49-46 COSTA?!? #UFC302
49-46 Paulo Costa is the worst scorecard of all time. Absolute garbage. Worst scorecard of all time! #UFC302
49-46 Costa is an all-time bad scorecard. Oh my word.
Scores: 49-46 Costa, 50-45 Strickland and 49-46 Strickland. Strickland wins split and WTF is that score for Costa? Are you kidding me? #UFC302
49-46 COSTA WHAT IS LIFE!?! #UFC302
49-46 COSTA?!?!? That is THE WORST scorecard I’ve ever seen in the UFC Fire that fucking judge. Oh my god. #UFC302
Judges score the fight 49-46 Costa 50-45 Strickland 49-46 Strickland. #UFC302
49-46 Costa is the worst card I’ve ever heard in my life #UFC302
49-46 Costa is criminal. Holy shit. #UFC302
50-45 Strickland A fun last-second flurry by Strickland to close out the fight in an anti-climatic Co-Main Event. #UFC302
10-9 Strickland RD5 49-46 Strickland #UFC302
40-36 Strickland. #UFC302 @ConsensusScore
10-9 Strickland in Round 1 #UFC302
Dave Tirelli 29-28 Raposo is one of the worst scorecards you will ever see. Complete garbage. #UFC302