Adesanya: MMA judges who scored against Kara-France 'need to disappear'
Warning: Story contains coarse language
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya wasn't pleased in the slightest with the judging at Saturday's Fight Night card in Las Vegas.
Adesanya's teammate, flyweight contender Kai Kara-France, dropped a razor-thin split decision to Amir Albazi in the main event, with Chris Lee and Sal D'Amato scoring the fight 48-47 in favor of Albazi and Michael Bell having it 48-47 for Kara-France.
Adesanya called for Lee and D'Amato to be dismissed as judges during a Twitter rant Sunday morning, saying that mixed martial arts officials need to be held "accountable."
Nah bro…
— Israel Adesanya (@stylebender) June 4, 2023
Fuck yous!!!
Fire Chris Lee & Sal Deez nuts.
— Israel Adesanya (@stylebender) June 4, 2023
I tweeted that before even seeing the scorecards because I knew them two will fuck it up!! Hoooow many times will they rob athletes of their moments of glory, if their money, their livelihood for their family. Fuuuuuuuck them cunts, they need to expire quickly and go. Mike Bell… pic.twitter.com/aCRG646b1i
— Israel Adesanya (@stylebender) June 4, 2023
To introduce more transparency and accountability into the MMA officiating space, Adesanya suggested that judges begin speaking with the media after events.
Start interviewing the judges after fights.
— Israel Adesanya (@stylebender) June 4, 2023
Hold them accountable for their work.
Nineteen of 21 media outlets who submitted scorecards to MMADecisions.com had the fight for Kara-France, several by a margin of 49-46.
Kara-France edged Albazi in significant strikes 99-43 and in takedowns 2-1.
The New Zealander has now lost two in a row, while Albazi - who called for a title shot afterward - is 5-0 to start his Octagon career.