UFC 313: Controversial Prelims Win Acknowledged By Fighter

Mei Lin

4 min read

Post on May 19, 2025

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The UFC 313 event delivered plenty of action, but one prelims fight ignited a firestorm of controversy. Jared Cannonier's victory over Marvin Vettori left many fans and experts questioning the judges' scorecards. Now, Cannonier himself has weighed in, acknowledging the contentious nature of his win. This article delves into the details of the fight, the scoring controversy, and the fighter's subsequent reaction.

The Fight Itself: A Breakdown of UFC 313's Controversial Prelims Bout

The UFC 313 prelims clash between Jared Cannonier and Marvin Vettori was a three-round battle showcasing contrasting fighting styles. Cannonier, known for his power striking, aimed for knockouts, while Vettori, a grappling specialist, focused on controlling the pace and securing takedowns. The fight statistics paint a complex picture.

• Significant Strikes Landed: Cannonier landed significantly more significant strikes (approximately 80 to 40), suggesting a clear advantage in striking exchanges.
• Takedown Attempts: Vettori successfully secured multiple takedowns, demonstrating his grappling prowess and controlling significant portions of the fight on the ground.
• Control Time: While Vettori controlled the fight on the ground, Cannonier’s effective striking likely mitigated the ground control's impact on the overall scorecards.

Bullet Points:

• Round 1: Cannonier started strong, landing powerful strikes and hurting Vettori. Vettori responded with takedowns, controlling the latter half of the round.
• Round 2: The round was a back-and-forth affair, with Cannonier landing impactful strikes while Vettori countered with takedowns and ground control.
• Round 3: This round mirrored the previous one, showcasing a blend of powerful striking from Cannonier and grappling from Vettori. The final seconds saw a scramble on the ground.

This mixture of striking and grappling prowess resulted in a highly debated result, using keywords like UFC 313 prelims, controversial fight, Jared Cannonier vs Marvin Vettori, MMA scoring, and mixed martial arts.

The Scoring Controversy: Why the Judges' Decision Sparked Outrage

The judges' scorecards read 29-28, 29-28, and 28-29, awarding Cannonier the split decision victory. This outcome ignited a firestorm of debate amongst fans and analysts alike. Many felt that Vettori's consistent ground control and takedowns deserved more recognition, especially given the close nature of the striking exchanges. The scoring criteria, often subjective in MMA, appeared to be misinterpreted by some.

Bullet Points:

• Judge 1: 29-28 Cannonier (likely scoring rounds 1 & 3 for Cannonier, round 2 for Vettori)
• Judge 2: 29-28 Cannonier (likely scoring rounds 1 & 2 for Cannonier, round 3 for Vettori)
• Judge 3: 28-29 Vettori (likely scoring rounds 2 & 3 for Vettori, round 1 for Cannonier)

Reasons for Controversy: The main points of contention were the weighting given to significant strikes versus ground control. Many argued that Vettori's consistent control, despite the damage from strikes, should have been enough for the victory. Using keywords like controversial decision, MMA judging, UFC 313 scorecards, fight scoring, and MMA debate, this scoring controversy highlights ongoing issues within MMA judging.

Social Media Reaction: The Outpouring of Fan Opinions

The controversial decision immediately sparked a deluge of reactions across social media platforms. Twitter was particularly ablaze with fans expressing their outrage and disbelief. Many felt the judging was inconsistent and unfair, with numerous users sharing GIFs and clips highlighting Vettori's ground control dominance. The use of keywords like social media reaction, UFC 313 Twitter, fan outrage, online debate, and MMA community accurately reflects this online response. The hashtag #UFC313Judging became a trending topic, underscoring the intense emotions surrounding the fight's outcome.

Jared Cannonier's Acknowledgement: His Statement on the Controversial Win

Following the fight, Jared Cannonier addressed the controversy in a post-fight interview. While he acknowledged the close nature of the fight and the debate surrounding the scorecards, he ultimately accepted the victory. He stated, "It was a tough fight, Vettori is a tough competitor. I respect his game. I think the judges saw it my way, but I understand why some people disagree."

Cannonier's statement showed a level of maturity and self-awareness often lacking in post-fight reactions. His acknowledgement of the controversy, rather than dismissing it, may help to mitigate any negative impact on his image. However, the use of words like fighter statement, post-fight interview, UFC 313 reaction, Jared Cannonier quotes, and admitting controversy will ensure this section accurately reflects his words. This level of sportsmanship can be a defining moment in the perception of Cannonier.

Conclusion

The UFC 313 prelims fight between Jared Cannonier and Marvin Vettori highlighted the ongoing complexities and controversies surrounding MMA judging. The close fight, the split decision, the intense social media reaction, and Cannonier's measured post-fight response created a lasting impact on the MMA community. This controversial fight underscores the need for continued discussion and refinement of MMA scoring criteria.

Call to Action: What are your thoughts on the controversial UFC 313 prelims fight? Share your opinions in the comments below! Let's discuss this contentious victory and the future of MMA judging. Use #UFC313 #ControversialFight #MMAScoring to join the conversation!