'Absolute robbery'… UFC Mexico City hit by judging controversy as fans protest split decision

03/29/2025 05:36 PM

Minutes into UFC Mexico City and the fans are already complaining about the judging.

Tonight, the UFC returns to Mexico City for a Fight Night event headlined by a flyweight bout between Brandon Moreno vs. Steve Erceg. 12 fights are now set to take place from CDMX Arena following the shocking cancellation of Joe Pyfer vs. Kelvin Gastelum.

Lightweights opened up the card as MarQuel Mederos took on ‘The Ultimate Fighter 31’ finalist Austin Hubbard.

The 9-1 Mederos was chasing his eighth-straight win while Hubbard looked to bounce back from a loss.

• READ MORE:Joe Pyfer claimed he was 'healthiest he's been' hours before pulling out of UFC Mexico City fight

Austin Hubbard vs. MarQuel Mederos

Not a whole lot happened in the first round as Mederos fended off a takedown attempt from Hubbard, leading the dance in the striking department. Round 2 was a different story with Hubbard taking down Mederos in the first 20 seconds after Mederos attempted a guillotine choke on his entry.

Hubbard racked up 2.5 minutes of control time, threatening a rear-naked choke from the back of Mederos.

Mederos survived to see a competitive round 3 where Hubbard scored yet another takedown. Hubbard maintained control for around three minutes. Mederos cut up Hubbard with a few short elbows that had him spilling blood onto the canvas.

In the final seconds of the fight, Hubbard attempted a takedown with both men finding themselves in a bit of a stalemate position on the ground before the final bell sounded.

MarQuel Mederos wins controversial decision, fans react

Hubbard’s control time apparently wasn’t enough to sway the judges. Two scorecards read 29-28 in favor of Mederos, having him wins rounds 1 and 3.

The fans weren’t too happy with the decision going to Mederos.

“Robbery right off the bat,” one fan wrote on X.

“Lowkey surprised Mederos pulled that out,” another fan wrote on X.

“He didn't even come close to winning,” one fan wrote of Mederos on X.

Others thought Mederos had done enough to win the fight.

“Damage > control,” one fan referenced the judging criteria on X. “But both guys didn’t look great. Just hope we actually get a KO soon.”

“Good decision, Hubbard was hanging on for dear life,” another fan reacted to the result on X.