Keith Kizer: I don't see controversy in UFC 167's 'St. Pierre vs. Hendricks' decision

If you were one of the many mixed martial arts (MMA) fans who went nuts when the scores were read for the UFC 167 main event, which took place last Saturday night (Nov. 16, 2013) in Las Vegas (results), then Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) Executive Director Keith Kizer has a little message for you.

Calm down, bro.

Georges St-Pierre was victorious over Johny Hendricks by way of controversial split decision, after two of the three judges awarded "Rush" the opening frame (see the scorecards here). But Kizer doesn't understand what all the hullabaloo was about, considering it was such a closely-contested fight.

He elaborates to Cagewriter:

"I don't see controversy in the [St. Pierre vs. Hendricks] decision. The media seems split on who won. The L.A. Times scored it for GSP. All seemed to agree that Hendricks won rounds two and four and that St. Pierre won three and five. The first round could have gone either way. Even if you disagreed with the scoring, how is that something to criticize the commission for? Before the fight, both the St. Pierre and Hendricks camps were fine with the proposed judges. Marc Ratner and Dana White have also told me that they believe Sal D'Amato and Tony Weeks (the two judges who scored the fight for St. Pierre with scores of 48-47) were two of the best judges, if not the best, in MMA. You can tell they feel that way by where the UFC has taken them."

There you have it.

UFC has taken D'Amato and Weeks overseas to serve as judges for international fight cards in territories that do not have a regulating commission, like Brazil and the UK.

If Kizer's reaction to the scoring controversy sounds familiar, it's because it is. Earlier this year, the commission was in hot water after embattled boxing judge C.J. Ross inexplicable turned in a 114-114 draw in the Floyd Mayweather vs. Canelo Alvarez championship fight, one that was without question dominated by "Money."

But Ross, like D'Amato and Weeks, operated under the confines of the current scoring system.

In other words, don't hate the player, hate the game. NSAC will hold a special workshop next month in "Sin City" to hear any and all grievances (details), so expect UFC President Dana White to be there with bells on, assuming he's not too scared to return to Las Vegas.