For years both fans and fighters alike have criticized MMA judges for questionable scores, particularly in MMA’s top promotion, the UFC. On several occasions UFC president Dana White has called for judges with better knowledge and experience of the sport, and it seems as if athletic commissions may now start to implement change.
UFC and Pride veteran Ricardo Almeida in particular is one fighter to have expressed strong aspirations of judging mixed martial arts, once the Brazilian had retired from competition. According to the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board, the former Pancrase Middleweight Champion has been assigned to UFC 169: Barao vs Faber 2 where he will judge this high profile card alongside Cardo Urso and Eric Colon.
UFC 169 takes place at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on Februay 1. The card is headlined by a second meeting of the now undisputed UFC bantamweight champion Renan Barao vs top contender, and former WEC featherweight champion Urijah Faber. Also on the card; dominant UFC Featherweight champion Jose Aldo takes on no.1 contender Ricardo Lamas, with former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir also on the main card, facing former Strikeforce and K1 ruler Alistair Overeem.
