MMA Junkie’s 2023 Robbery of the Year: Joselyne Edwards def. Lucie Pudilova

January 1, 2024 7:15 pm ET

Commentators were left in disbelief when judges awarded Joselyne Edwards the win over Lucila Pudilova.

Edwards defeated Pudilova by split decision in their catchweight bout at UFC on ESPN 44 in April – a decision which was debated by many. All 15 media members who logged in their scores on MMA Decisions scored the fight in favor of Pudilova, with two even having it 30-27.

Pudilova scored a takedown just over a minute into Round 1, but wasn’t able to mount too much offense in top position. With less than a minute remaining in the round, Edwards popped back up and made Pudilova pay with a barrage of punches on the break. Considering that Edwards spent the majority of the round on her back, Pudilova should have been awarded the opening frame. Surprisingly, all three judges gave Edwards Round 1.

Edwards kicked off Round 2 with a clear advantage on the feet. But a minute and a half into the round, Pudilova took her down and dominated her on the ground. Pudilova ended the round in full mount raining down punches, in what was a clear round for her. All three judges agreed.

Heading into Round 3, commentators on duty Michael Bisping and Daniel Cormier were confident that Pudilova was up two rounds. They suggested that Edwards needs a finish in order to win. Edwards did a good job of keeping the final round on the feet and even outstruck Pudilova, which gave her Round 3 on two of the judges’ scorecards.

Judge Ross Swanberg scored it 29-28 Edwards, judge Henry Guery scored it 29-28 Pudilova, and judge David Huyette scored it 29-28 Edwards. According to MMA Decisions, this was the first time judges Swanberg and Huyette submit a UFC scorecard, both who scored the fight for Edwards.

This was the first time that both judges who scored the bout for Edwards have submitted a completed scorecard for a UFC bout per @MMADecisions https://t.co/COLYTPLIvm

— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) April 15, 2023

Considering that Pudilova had two takedowns and over seven minutes of control time, it’s hard to score the fight for Edwards. Edwards had her moments on the feet, but nothing significant enough to win her rounds where she was held down for a good portion.

According to UFC Stats, Pudilova was outstruck overall 90-74, which shouldn’t be a large enough margin to sway the judges against her. That’s why Edwards vs. Pudilova is MMA Junkie’s 2023 Robbery of the Year.

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