In the co-main event of UFC 205 in New York, UFC Welterweight champion Tyron Woodley fought Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson to a spirited, competitive and rare majority draw. In laymen’s terms, Woodley won round 1, and dominated round 4 enough to be awarded a 10-8 while Wonderboy won the remaining three rounds, resulting in a bit of scorecard wonkiness and a bit of a math puzzle for everybody involved in the decision.
The decision was even delayed, as Buffer had to step out of the octagon to check with the New York state athletic commission about the scores.
We made it easy for everyone. Champion obviously retains title in a draw. #UFC205 pic.twitter.com/hhpxIAGdgi
— NBCS Fights (@NBCSFights) November 13, 2016
Eventually when the scores were announced — two 47-47 cards and 48-47 card for Woodley — UFC announce Bruce Buffer declared Woodley a decision victor. Except, that’s not exactly right, as people like former Strikeforce Women’s Welterweight champion pointed out, those score cards would be a majority draw, still resulting in Woodley keeping the belt.
Shouldn't 2 scores of 47-47 make it a majority draw?!? #UFC205
— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) November 13, 2016
So, after some confusion, Buffer returned to announce the rightful decision, annoying Woodley in the process.
It was embarrassing, not only for the UFC but for the New York state athletic commission and the judges as well. Because Twitter never misses a bit, timelines everywhere lit up with the obvious Steve Harvey at the Miss America pageant jokes as well as some electoral college foolishness and everything else.
What had happened was……. #UFC205 pic.twitter.com/BCptojQCUk
— ##SWAVEY## (@NekoSwavvey) November 13, 2016
https://twitter.com/JoeyRyanOnline/status/797682042859323392
Correction, the result is a majority draw! #UFC205 pic.twitter.com/nP8544DuTe
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) November 13, 2016
https://twitter.com/_mmanny/status/797686279244828672
https://twitter.com/DGC007Ace/status/797682728472715264
https://twitter.com/PegCityJake/status/797681394164043777
I love that Bruce Buffer almost refused to announce a score he know was a mistake! Not his first rodeo #UFC205
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) November 13, 2016
https://twitter.com/FurysFightPicks/status/797685425926262788
Stephen Thompson's wiki page after that #UFC205 blunder by Buffer. pic.twitter.com/aT8AekRSil
— Travis Durkee (@Travis_Durkee) November 13, 2016