Controversial Bout Sees Randamie Win Title

When the UFC women’s featherweight championship was first announced, there was a lot of looking forward to who the first champ would be. Now, there will be a lot of debate as to who the first champ should’ve been.

In the record books, however, it will go down as Germaine de Randamie was the first UFC women’s featherweight champion. She defeated Holly Holm via unanimous decision in the main event of UFC 208 in Brooklyn, New York, to become the inaugural belt holder. But two punches delivered after the bell bring a lot of controversy into the official decision.

In the opening round, De Randamie utilized her quick footwork to avoid Holm, while catching her with counter-shots. In the second round, De Randamie remained in control, but she landed a punch following the horn, prompting a lot of negative response from the crowd and a quick word with the referee. The damage had been done though, as Holm was clearly shaken up by the late right hand.

In the third round, the momentum shifted in Holm’s favor. Late in the round, she landed a big head kick that rocked de Randamie. Once again, after the horn sounded, de Randamie landed a shot after the horn. The referee warned her if this happened a third time, a point would be taken away. Some, including UFC commentator Joe Rogan, however, felt a point should’ve been taken away already, and a second one should’ve been taken following the second late shot.

Holm battled hard for the final two rounds, but it wasn’t enough. All three judges scored the contest 48-47 in de Randamie’s favor; the result would have been at best a draw if at least one point was deducted from de Randamie’s score.

It’s now expected she will make her first defense of the title against Cris Cyborg once Cyborg’s USADA violation controversy is cleared up. Holm has lost three straight now since her upset over Ronda Rousey.

Main card (PPV, 10 p.m. ET)
To Determine the First UFC Women’s Featherweight Champion: Germaine de Randamie def. Holly Holm via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47)
Anderson Silva def. Derek Brunson via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Jacare Souza def. Tim Boetsch via submission (kimura) (Rd. 1, 3:41)
Glover Teixeira def. Jared Cannonier via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
Dustin Poirier def. Jim Miller via majority decision (28-28, 30-27, 29-28)

Prelim card (FOX Sports 1, 8 p.m. ET)
Belal Muhammad def. Randy Brown by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Wilson Reis def. Ulka Sasaki via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Islam Makhachev def. Nik Lentz via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-27)
Rick Glenn def Phillipe Nover via split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)

Early prelim card (UFC Fight Pass, 7:30 p.m. ET)
Ryan LaFlare def. Roan Carneiro via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 29-28)