Judge Howie Booth has some explaining to do.
After returning a puzzling 30-27 scorecard for Tai Tuivasa in his heavyweight fight against Jairzinho Rozenstruik, Booth was removed from the judging position he was supposed to work for the night’s flyweight co-main event between Kai Kara-France and Steve Erceg.
While Rozenstruik still got a win in a fight he largely dominated over three rounds, Booth somehow scored every single round for Tuivasa, which resulted in a bizarre split decision.
#UFC305 Official Scorecard: Jairzinho Rozenstruik (@JairRozenstruik) vs Tai Tuivasa
— UFC News (@UFCNews) August 18, 2024
Complete Perth Scorecards ➡️: https://t.co/Nwdw7XmJlS@WestAustralia | #WAtheDreamState pic.twitter.com/wwz23VAY9F
There were more than a few curious looks after the scorecards were announced, with judge Charlie Keech giving Rozenstruik the fight with a 29-28 scorecard and David Lethaby going 30-27 for Rozenstruik, which secured the win for the Suriname native.
Media scores on MMA Decisions show every single person had the fight 30-27 Rozenstruik.
The inexcusable scorecard obviously didn’t sit well with the Combat Sports Commission in Perth so as a result Booth was relieved of his duties for the night.
Judge Ben Cartlidge was selected to replace Booth in the co-main event between Kara-France and Erceg, though it ultimately didn’t matter as Kara-France knocked out Erceg in the first round.