During the UFC 314 main event featuring Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes, commentator Jon Anik believed Volkanovski was ahead 3-0 after the third round. This opinion wasn`t shared by everyone at ringside.
Anik, leading the commentary team with Daniel Cormier and Joe Rogan, was calling the pay-per-view event where Volkanovski successfully defended his featherweight title. Following the fight, Rogan jokingly suggested matchmaker Sean Shelby needed drug testing due to disagreement with Anik`s assessment of the fight`s early rounds. Anik explained the situation, stating,
“Towards the end of the third round, I mentioned on air that Diego Lopes needed to take action as he was likely down three rounds to none,” Anik told MMA Fighting. “I noticed Daniel Cormier pointing out that Sean Shelby and [fellow matchmaker] Maynard were giving me disapproving looks, as if I was wrong in my assessment. Despite their reaction, I stood by my opinion.”
Anik further reflected on the fourth round, acknowledging he might have been too critical of judge Sal D’Amato. He added, “It seemed Shelby believed Diego Lopes might have been leading 2-1 at that point, which I respectfully disagree with.”
Ultimately, Volkanovski won by unanimous decision, with two judges scoring it 49-46 and one 48-47. Volkanovski performed impressively for most of the fight, although Lopes did manage to drop him in the second round and land a significant strike in the fourth.
After reviewing the fight, Anik understands why some might have scored it as a clean sweep for Volkanovski, despite Lopes`s impactful moments.
“Having rewatched the fight and analyzed the scoring, I can see an argument for a 50-45 Volkanovski score,” Anik stated. “Interestingly, the most powerful punch of the fight landed in round four, and perhaps Diego Lopes missed an opportunity by not capitalizing further. However, Volkanovski landed twice as many strikes in that round.”
“I now see why judge Sal D`Amato scored the round for Volkanovski. While a big strike like that from Lopes might suggest he won the round, I scored rounds 1, 2, 3, and 5 for Volkanovski.”
