With yet another controversial decision, this time coming from the victory awarded to Randy Couture over Brandon Vera, it’s time for the various athletic commissions and/or organizations to step up. It’s time for them to ensure that their judges are completely versed in Mixed Martial Arts and not just veteran Boxing judges who have only their own dated notions to go on. Otherwise, expect the same suspicious eye that’s turned towards boxing matches, and the subsequent cries of fixing to rise to a much higher level.

There’s no blame on Randy Couture, he fought the bout the way he wanted, and perhaps he should have won. However with the judging being so suspect, its a wonder that anyone could have predicted his victory before the announcement, and if most would have picked Vera to win. However the blame can certainly pass to the judges, who really should be accountable for their decisions, correct or incorrect.

Conspiracy theorists are sure to state that any close decision would certainly go to fan favorite Randy Couture(in fact he’s only lost one bout by decision in his career, coming at the hands of Big Nog), and they may have an arguable point. Just the fact that these notions have to be entertained should be enough for an overhall of the judging system, not so much in changing the basic structure but in ensuring that the judges are experts in MMA as it pertains to scoring a round.

One could certainly begin to draw parallels between MMA and boxing as far as judging, especially when several key judges are known for presiding over both types of fights. Add to the mix a slew of incorrect comments concerning scoring directly from said judges and we have a situation where everyone seems in the dark. Perhaps with a better explanation from the judges, or a show of the score round by round, we could avoid these ugly situations, or at least show some more accountability.

Accountabiltiy, that’s not much to ask to keep MMA away from fixing scandals, and piss poor judging.

The MMA News, Charttopper, opinion.