In a bold move that could revolutionise how mixed martial arts bouts are scored, legendary UFC commentator Joe Rogan has proposed a radical solution to the sport's ongoing judging controversies. The podcast host and fight analyst believes introducing a fourth judge could be the key to eliminating disputed decisions that have plagued recent UFC events.
The Problem With Current UFC Scoring
Rogan's suggestion comes amid growing frustration within the MMA community about inconsistent and often baffling scorecards from official judges. "We've seen too many fights where the outcome leaves everyone scratching their heads," Rogan explained during a recent discussion. "When a fighter clearly dominates but loses on the judges' scorecards, it undermines the sport's credibility."
How The Fourth Judge System Would Work
The proposed system would add an additional judge to the standard three-person panel, creating a tie-breaking mechanism that could prevent controversial majority decisions. Rogan elaborated: "With four judges, you eliminate the possibility of those split decisions where one judge sees it completely differently from the others. If it's a 2-2 tie, then you have a discussion, or you bring in another metric."
Addressing The Root Causes
Beyond simply adding another judge, Rogan emphasised the need for better judge education and specialisation in mixed martial arts. "Many judges come from boxing backgrounds and don't fully appreciate the nuances of ground game, submission attempts, and octagon control," he noted. The fourth judge concept would work alongside improved training to ensure more accurate scoring.
Community Reaction And Potential Impact
The MMA world has responded with overwhelming support for Rogan's proposal. Fighters, coaches, and fans alike have expressed frustration with current judging standards, particularly following several high-profile controversial decisions in recent months. Implementing a fourth judge could:
- Reduce the frequency of disputed fight outcomes
- Provide a clearer consensus in close rounds
- Increase confidence in UFC results among fighters and fans
- Pressure athletic commissions to improve judge selection and training
While the Ultimate Fighting Championship doesn't directly control judge appointments—that responsibility falls to state athletic commissions—Rogan's influential voice could spark meaningful change throughout the sport. As debate continues, one thing remains clear: the current system is broken, and innovative solutions like Rogan's fourth judge proposal deserve serious consideration.
