In a recent revelation, Arman Tsarukyan, who secured a split decision victory against former champion Charles Oliveira at UFC 300, shared that one of the judges had apologized for scoring the fight in Oliveira’s favor. The judge in question, Mike Bell, awarded Rounds 1 and 3 to Oliveira, leading to the split decision outcome.
Tsarukyan expressed his frustration with the judge’s erroneous scoring, emphasizing the impact it could have had on his career. He stated, “If I lose this fight, I would kill him, yeah. He’s going to kill my career, you know? I’ve been training like 10 years non-stop, you know? And like, every day, like, think about the fight, cut weight, train, like a lot of surgeries, trauma, drama”.
Fortunately, Bell acknowledged his mistake and reached out to Tsarukyan’s coach to apologize. Tsarukyan appreciated the judge’s admission, saying, “He said, ‘I understood I was wrong for that”.
The intense emotions surrounding high-stakes fights can lead to such passionate reactions, but ultimately, Arman Tsarukyan’s victory stands, and he can now focus on his future in the sport.
Arman Tsarukyan says the judge who had Charles Oliveira winning their fight called him and apologized for his 'mistake'.
He also says he would've killed that judge if he ended up losing the fight 😳
"Definitely if I lose this fight, I would kill him yea. He's gonna kill my… pic.twitter.com/mppUjWeWbc
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) April 18, 2024
Victory against Oliveira is a big step forward for Arman Tsarukyan
With this win, Arman Tsarukyan’s career takes a significant leap forward, establishing him as a serious threat in the lightweight division. Oliveira, on the other hand, faces a tougher road back to championship glory.
The battle between Arman Tsarukyan and Oliveira unfolded in three rounds, with both fighters displaying their skills and determination. Oliveira, known for his exciting fighting style and record-setting submissions, attempted numerous submission holds. However, Tsarukyan’s takedown defense and striking prowess ultimately convinced the judges to award him the split decision victory.
Despite a dangerous D’Arce choke attempt by Oliveira in the closing seconds of Round 3, Tsarukyan survived until the final horn, securing the win. His impressive performance sets the stage for future matchups and elevates his status in the lightweight division. Oliveira, meanwhile, must regroup and strategize for his path back to the belt he lost to Makhachev.
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