HOLLY HOLM APPEALS UFC LOSS
De Randamie’s late punches are the issue
The Holly Holm camp has filed an appeal with the New York State Athletic Commission, asking that the NYSAC change or set aside the result of the Albuquerque MMA fighter’s controversial loss to Germaine de Randamie on Saturday in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Twice during the fight, after rounds two and three, de Randamie threw and landed punches after the horn that signified the end of the round. The Dutch fighter was not penalized a point on either occasion. De Randamie won by unanimous decision, the five-round fight scored 48-47 on all three official scorecards, thus becoming the first-ever UFC women’s featherweight champion.
In a letter written to the commission by Paul Bardacke, general counsel to Fresquez Productions — Lenny Fresquez is Holm’s manager and agent — the applicable NYSAC regulations are cited.
“Had Referee (Todd) Anderson complied with NYSAC Regulations and deducted points from de Randamie in accordance with Section 212.10 through 212.11,” the letter states, “the UFC 208 Featherweight title fight would have resulted in a draw, if not a win, for Ms. Holm.
“We respectfully request the
Commission review Referee Anderson’s failure to assess a foul and render a decision regarding a point deduction following round 2, and failure to assess a foul and a point deduction following round 3, and determine an appropriate result.”
In a statement made to mmafighting.com, a NYSAC spokesman said via email: “As of this time, the Commission has not yet received an appeal from the Holm camp. It will be properly considered when, and if, received.”
Based on the cited regulations, it is unclear what the athletic commission could do. It appears it is solely left to the referee’s discretion as to whether points will be deducted.
It the commission were to determine that Anderson was at fault by not taking a point (or two) from de Randamie, it can’t be concluded that the fight would have ended in a draw or that Holm would have won had the point(s) been taken. If de Ramandie were aware she’d lost a point, she might have fought differently the rest of the way, with Holm responding.
Perhaps the NYSAC could declare the fight no contest or, leaving the result as it stands, order a rematch. But it’s not clear that such an order would be binding on the UFC.
HOLM’S FUTURE: Fresquez said Wednesday that he intends Holm’s next fight to be for a title — whether a rematch with de Ramandie at 145 pounds or at 135, where Holm (10-3) is a former UFC champion.
A rematch at featherweight, he said, is “the fight we want. We want that rematch.”
More likely, it appears, de Ramandie’s first defense will be made against Brazil’s Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino.
Cyborg is under temporary suspension after testing positive for a banned diuretic. But she’s seeking a therapeutic use exemption, claiming the diuretic was used on a doctor’s advice to combat extreme dehydration resulting from a drastic weight cut in preparation for her last fight.
She and UFC President Dana White have expressed confidence that the exemption will be granted.
That likely would send Holm back to bantamweight. Fresquez believes that, despite three losses in a row, Holm —as a former champion — would be a viable challenger to current champion Amanda Nunes.
Valentina Shevchenko, who defeated Holm by unanimous decision in July, is the No. 1 challenger. But Shevchenko lost to Nunes by unanimous decision last March.
In new ratings released Monday, Holm is ranked fourth among bantamweights behind Shevchenko, Ronda Rousey and Julianna Peña. Rousey recently lost to Nunes — her MMA future in grave doubt. Peña recently lost to Shevchenko.
In any case, Fresquez said, “Holly’s next fight will be a title fight . ... That’s what I spoke to Dana about, that’s what I conveyed to him.
“She won (the de Ramandie fight). She should be the champion right now. We’re not going to fight anybody but a champion.”