In a controversial outcome at UFC 302, Sean Strickland defeated Paulo Costa by split decision. The official scorecards revealed a significant discrepancy, with one judge scoring the fight 50-45 for Strickland, another 49-46 for Strickland, and a third judge, Dave Tirelli, controversially scoring it 49-46 for Costa. The 49-46 scorecard in favor of Costa has been widely criticized as one of the worst in MMA history, with many calling for Tirelli to be removed from his judging duties. Additionally, Tirelli's 29-28 scorecard for Raposo was also deemed highly questionable.
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