Daniel Cormier Unleashes Fury: “This Has To Stop!” After UFC 319’s Shocking Unanimous Decision

UFC 319 delivered a night of thrilling contests, but one outcome left a sour taste in the mouths of fans, pundits, and most vehemently, former two-division champion Daniel Cormier. The unanimous decision rendered in the pivotal lightweight clash between budding prospect Alex 'The Apex' Volkov and seasoned veteran Mark 'The Maverick' Stevens has ignited a firestorm of criticism, with Cormier leading the charge against what many are calling a blatant miscarriage of justice.

From the opening bell, Volkov appeared to dictate the pace, landing cleaner, more significant strikes, and showcasing superior octagon control throughout all three rounds.

His movement was fluid, his defense sharp, and his offense consistent. Stevens, while undeniably tough, seemed largely reactive, absorbing a substantial amount of punishment and struggling to mount effective counter-offensives. The live commentary team, including Cormier, consistently highlighted Volkov's apparent dominance, making the eventual scorecards – all 30-27 in favor of Stevens – utterly baffling.

As Bruce Buffer announced the decision, the arena erupted in a chorus of boos, and the disbelief was palpable.

Daniel Cormier, visibly agitated on the broadcast, didn't mince words. "This has to stop!" he exclaimed, his voice laced with frustration and anger. "How do you score that fight 30-27 for Stevens? It's unfathomable. These judges are not seeing the fight clearly, and it’s costing these young fighters their careers, their momentum!" DC, a man who knows the intricacies of fighting better than most, continued his impassioned critique, questioning the competence and consistency of the judging panels.

Cormier’s outrage echoes a sentiment that has been steadily growing within the MMA community: the persistent issue of inconsistent and often bewildering judging.

Every major fight card seems to feature at least one decision that leaves fans scratching their heads, eroding trust in the sport's scoring system. Such outcomes not only rob deserving fighters of their victories but also undermine the integrity of the sport itself. For a fighter like Volkov, who put on a masterful performance, a loss on his record due to questionable judging can have long-lasting repercussions on his trajectory, potential earnings, and standing within the division.

The calls for reform are growing louder.

Suggestions range from open scoring, where fight scores are revealed after each round, to stricter accountability for judges, and even the implementation of more advanced statistical analysis during fights. While the solutions are complex, the message from figures like Daniel Cormier is clear: the current state of affairs is unacceptable.

For the sport to truly thrive and maintain its credibility, the judging must evolve and align with the reality of what unfolds inside the Octagon. UFC 319 served as another painful reminder that without meaningful change, controversial decisions will continue to plague the sport, and the cry of "This has to stop!" will only grow louder.