LAS VEGAS – In a surprising outcome at UFC 313, Mairon Santos secured a split decision victory against Francis Marshall at the T-Mobile Arena, leaving fans and commentators debating the judges’ decision. The fight, which took place on the preliminary card, ended with judge scores of 27-30, 29-28, and 29-28, tipping in Santos’ favor despite widespread expectation of Marshall’s win.
Santos, with this victory, improved his MMA record to 15-1, and maintained his undefeated status in the UFC at 2-0. Conversely, Marshall’s record now stands at 8-3 in MMA and 2-3 in the UFC. Notably during the match, Marshall executed three takedowns and was the overwhelming favorite with live odds at 12-1 by the fight’s end.
The decision sparked controversy, as every MMA platform tracked by MMA Decisions had scored the bout in favor of Marshall, with most giving him a clean sweep of 30-27 across the boards. The unexpected split decision has already stirred conversations about it being possibly the year’s most controversial fight decision.
During a post-fight interview, Santos reflected on the match’s pivotal moments. He acknowledged Marshall’s strength and ability to implement takedowns but expressed satisfaction with his ability to handle and adjust to the surprises in the fight. “The first round had its challenges,” Santos said. “He landed a good shot, which I wasn’t anticipating. However, his takedowns were more about control rather than damage, which allowed me to adjust and execute my strategy accordingly.”
The scoring by the judges drew specific ire from Santos in his post-fight remarks. “I was very surprised with some of the scores,” he stated, clearly frustrated by what he perceived as a discrepancy between the fight’s actual flow and the official scores. “It baffles me how these scores come to be. I feel some judges don’t understand the dynamics and the actual impact of maneuvers.”
Looking forward, Santos is aiming to return to the octagon by mid-year, after taking some time to recuperate. “I’m just taking a short period to recover. I’m sore but thankfully no major injuries occurred. I’m planning to be back fighting around the middle of the year,” he mentioned, signaling his ambition to maintain his winning momentum.
The UFC 313 event overall has offered numerous talking points, from scoring controversies to outstanding performances, showcasing once again why Mixed Martial Arts remains one of the most dynamically discussed sports globally.
For fans wanting a closer look at the bout’s proceedings, extensive coverage of UFC 313, including official scorecards and a gallery of the event’s key moments, is available for viewing, providing a comprehensive breakdown of this and other fights of the night.
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