The preliminary fights at UFC 318 sparked considerable debate, as one particular decision left many viewers bewildered and ignited widespread accusations of a “robbery” regarding the judges` scorecards.
Welterweights Nikolay Veretennikov and Francisco Prado, both aiming to recover from recent setbacks, kicked off the action in New Orleans. Their 15-minute encounter proved to be an exciting, back-and-forth battle, with both fighters exchanging powerful strikes. However, the official split decision announcement unleashed a torrent of anger from fans, reigniting the perennial debate surrounding mixed martial arts judging controversies.
The Controversial Welterweight Clash
The fight began with Francisco Prado quickly securing a takedown, putting Veretennikov in a challenging position early. The welterweights engaged in wild grappling exchanges throughout the opening round, with both attempting to secure damaging submissions.
Veretennikov managed to turn the tide in the latter half of the first round. As Prado attempted an armbar, Veretennikov broke free by slamming Prado and following up with brutal ground-and-pound.
Veretennikov carried his momentum into the second round, dropping Prado with a well-placed right hand. While Prado`s initial takedown attempt was thwarted, he successfully secured a second after Veretennikov threw a spinning kick.
Despite Prado controlling Veretennikov for the remainder of Round 2 and largely dominating the third and final round—landing vicious elbow strikes from top mount that cut his opponent, outworking him on the feet, and securing another late takedown—the judges delivered a split decision victory to Veretennikov. This outcome immediately sparked a furious reaction on social media, with a strong consensus among fans that Prado had been unjustly denied the win.
Fans took to social media platforms to express their frustration: “UFC judges continue to suck. Ruining the sport,” one fan lamented. Other comments included “They rob my boy Prado…”, “Absolute robbery,” and questions about specific judges` continued employment. Many pointed to Prado`s effective striking and control, stating, “He dropped him in the 2nd! He won the fight!”
For Nikolay Veretennikov, this controversial win marks his first victory in the UFC. His debut earlier this year at UFC Seattle saw him lose, an event also marred by an unsportsmanlike late hit that angered fans. Conversely, Francisco Prado now faces a three-fight losing streak, bringing his UFC record to 1-4 since his impressive first-round finish in July 2023.
Other Highlights from UFC 318 Prelims
The Prado vs. Veretennikov bout was one of the few fights on the UFC 318 prelims to go the distance, as the card also featured several explosive finishes. The preliminary action in New Orleans began with a memorable homecoming knockout for Carli Judice, who secured a third-round knee finish.
Middleweight Ateba Gautier continued his destructive path, delivering a first-round knockout. Additionally, Dana White’s Contender Series alum Brunno Ferreira came close to snapping his opponent’s arm with a slick submission.
In a highly anticipated middleweight grudge match, Brendan Allen successfully outpointed former title challenger Marvin Vettori. This victory for Allen came months after their widely publicized brawl at a Florida casino and saw him return to the win column following a prior loss.
Jack Thornley