A pair of questionable decisions have put MMA judge Douglas Crosby in the sights of an official investigation by the Mohegan Tribe Athletic Department.
Crosby’s questionable scorecard in the Raufeon Stots vs. Danny Sabatello fight from Bellator 289 last Friday was followed up with his card that saw Paddy Pimblett defeat Jared Gordon at UFC 282. While judges aren’t expected to get it right all the time, Crosby turned in two lemons in the span of 24 hours.
The main perpetrator was his Bellator card, where he scored a clean sweep for Sabatello. Not only was his scorecard overruled by the more accurate 48-47 card, but it was the first time on a major card that the loser won every round.
That scorecard drew the ire of Mike Mazzuli, Mohegan Athletic Department Director of Athletics, who intimated his concerns in an interview with MMA Fighting.
Mazzuli said, “This is a very serious situation. The Mohegan Tribe Athletic Department always looks out for the best interests of all fighters. In the past, the Mohegan Tribe Athletic Department has sanctioned officials that are not performing to the level that is required. Such sanctions, when they occur, are not made public.”
MMA judge needed 24 hours for another shifty decision
Crosby would work Pimblett vs. Gordon the next night at UFC 282 in Las Vegas. All of the judges came under scrutiny there as they turned in a uniformed 29-28 decision for Pimblett. Unofficial scorecards from press row didn’t see it that way as 23 of 24 media outlets saw Gordon power through a listless Pimblett.
While being involved with that travesty doesn’t help, Crosby is not being investigated by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
This isn’t an isolated incident when it comes to Crosby. He has turned in terrible cards in the past. Crosby became a marked man after phoning in a 50-45 decision for Frankie Edgar against BJ Penn at UFC 112, a fight many believed Penn won. At UFC Fight Night 63, he turned in a 30-27 scorecard for Jorge Masvidal in his split decision loss to Al Iaquinta after it was disclosed he was actively feuding with Iaqunita’s coach.
Many fans, fighters, and media personalities were not surprised at all to see Crosby attached to the questionable verdicts. It is unlikely that much will come from the investigation. Judges across combat sports seldom face accountability for their actions.
With Dana White agreeing with the decision of Pimblett vs. Gordon, blaming Gordon’s game plan instead of the judges, it’s unlikely anything will come of this.
Unfortunately, we’ll be seeing Crosby working a major fight again sooner rather than later.
