Скачать или смотреть Upset’ UFC Vegas 109 fighter still fuming over split decision loss – ‘Our life is literally

Upset’ UFC Vegas 109 fighter still fuming over split decision loss – ‘Our life is literally in the hands of dumb judges’
Bantamweight contender Miles Johns is still reeling after suffering a razor-thin split decision loss to undefeated Brazilian prospect Jean Matsumoto at UFC Vegas 109 on Saturday night, August 9, 2025, inside the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The fight, contested over three rounds, was highly competitive from start to finish. Johns, known for his relentless forward pressure and well-timed wrestling, appeared to control the pace early, landing solid strikes and mixing in grappling to keep Matsumoto on the defensive. Many viewers felt Johns secured Rounds 1 and 3, especially after a decisive takedown in the final frame.

However, Matsumoto’s crisp and technical striking shone in the second round, and some argued his counter shots late in the third swung the momentum in his favor. When the judges’ scorecards were read, the decision came down to a split — two judges siding with Matsumoto, one with Johns — handing the Brazilian the victory and sparking an immediate firestorm of debate online.

Johns’ Frustrated Reaction

In a now-deleted Instagram story, Johns expressed shock and disappointment over the verdict.

“I really thought we won that fight,” Johns said. “I thought the takedown in the third round secured the deal. When the fight ended, I wasn’t even nervous — I thought we for sure won. It is what it is. The part that makes me upset is our life is literally in the hands of these dumb flipping judges who don’t know what they are doing.”

For Johns, the frustration wasn’t just about a single loss — it was about the real-world stakes fighters face every time they compete.

“They don’t realize I have four kids,” he continued. “I have mouths to feed, and they’re making bad decisions when a lot of money is on the line. They’re not held accountable at all. No one goes back to them and says, ‘Show me why you scored it this way.’”

Adding to the confusion, Johns pointed out that even the one judge who had him winning seemed to misread the fight. That judge gave Matsumoto Round 1 and Johns Rounds 2 and 3, even though Johns himself admitted Matsumoto clearly won the second.

Judging Controversy Beyond This Fight

Johns’ bout was not the only one on the UFC Vegas 109 card to end in controversy. Several fights went to split decisions, and fans noticed scorecards that varied wildly from one judge to another — as if the officials were not watching the same action. The criticism echoed long-standing concerns in MMA about inconsistent judging and the lack of transparency or accountability in the scoring process.