Brendan Schaub would like some answers from Noche UFC judge Mike Bell.
UFC women's flyweight champion Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko had an instant classic in their rematch at Noche UFC. The two went back-and-forth for five thrilling rounds before the score totals were read. This is where the bout became marred in controversy. The first two judges disagreed on the winner, but their 48-47 scores weren't the issue.
The problem was with Mike Bell's score total. He gave Grasso a 10-8 score for the fifth round, which most believe is egregious given how she was kept at bay on the feet most of the round before scoring a takedown, landing some ground-and-pound, and going for a choke near the end of the fight. While a 10-9 fifth round for Grasso certainly wouldn't have been a big issue, giving her the 10-8 edge there was unforgiving.
In the end, Bell scored the fight 47-47, so this bout was ruled a split draw. The judge has come under fire and many people are asking questions, including Brendan Schaub.
In a new episode of "The Schaub Show," Brendan Schaub posed a question to Mike Bell regarding his 10-8 score total, and how he viewed the Alex Grasso vs. Valentina Shevchenko rematch in totality.
"I'm just wondering how'd you get to 10-8? Let's say he breaks it down, he's like, 'This is how I got to 10-8, close to finishing her,' I'm like, 'Okay,'" Schaub said. "'They ask us to score more 10-8s more favorably, so that's what I'm trying to do.' Okay, good argument. Then how did you not give earlier rounds to Shevchenko 10-8? Very similar, takedown, got her back, got her neck, very similar. So, how would you give the fifth 10-8, but not say the third? That would be my question to him."
Given the history of athletic commissions, it's unlikely that fight fans and media members will ever get an explanation for Mike Bell's score total.
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