Bruce Buffer made an error announcing the Padilla fight result, calling it a majority decision when the scorecards showed a draw. Fighters only learned the real result backstage. Gable Stevenson, who is mentored by Jon Jones, has signed a contract with UFC, and Jones himself hinted at a possible return. Paulo Costa impressed fans in his polutяжка debut, looking both huge and durable. Jiri Prochazka posted on social media apologizing for his performance, saying he lost concentration and was caught, and that he needs to eliminate the part of himself that showed mercy.
A chaotic night inside the cage spilled over into the post-fight proceedings when legendary UFC announcer Bruce Buffer read the wrong result following the Padilla contest, declaring a majority decision before fighters and cornermen discovered backstage that the scorecards had actually produced a draw.
The announcement error added confusion to what was already an eventful card, with competitors only learning the accurate outcome after leaving the octagon.
Away from the judging controversy, heavyweight wrestling sensation Gable Stevenson officially signed with the UFC, a move that comes with notable backing. Jon Jones, who carries a 28-1-0 record and is widely regarded as one of the sport's all-time greats at six-foot-four with an 84-inch reach, has been mentoring Stevenson through the transition. Jones himself hinted at a possible return to competition alongside the announcement, though no official booking has been confirmed.
Paulo Costa, ranked thirteenth at middleweight and known as "The Eraser," turned heads with an appearance in a higher weight class, with observers noting he looked both physically massive and impressively durable. The 35-year-old Brazilian carries a 16-4-0 record and one of the sport's most aggressive output rates at 6.26 significant strikes landed per minute at 58 percent accuracy.
Jiri Prochazka addressed his own performance publicly, posting on social media to apologize to fans. The Czech Republic's second-ranked light heavyweight, who holds a 32-6-1 record and stands six-foot-three with an 80-inch reach, acknowledged he lost concentration at a critical moment and was caught as a result. Prochazka stated he must eliminate the part of himself that showed mercy in competition.
Why it matters
- Buffer's misread result raises questions about post-fight announcement protocols and how official decisions are communicated to competitors
- Stevenson's signing adds a high-profile wrestling recruit to the heavyweight division, with Jones's involvement amplifying attention
- Prochazka's candid self-assessment signals a fighter actively examining mental lapses, relevant as he remains in light heavyweight title contention at rank two
