Paddy Pimblett

The 2022 MMA schedule saw plenty of controversy, including wins from Paddy Pimblett and Sean O'Malley that set the community ablaze.

[called Crosby’s Sabatello card “ignorant.”](https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/12/10/23502782/most-ignorant-judging-ive-seen-fighters-react-50-45-scorecard-for-raufeon-stots-vs-danny-sabatello) The California State Athletic Commission handed down a new rule stating that CSAC judges and referees [would not be allowed to travel across the country to work events on consecutive days](https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/12/16/23513563/california-commission-formalizes-new-rule-traveling-combat-sports-judges-douglas-crosby-controversy), and the Mohegan Athletic Department has called for [a formal review of the Bellator 289 cards](https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/12/12/23506324/mohegan-commission-to-review-raufeon-stots-vs-danny-sabatello-with-judges-sanctions-possible). Michael Johnson (UFC Vegas 58)](https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/7/11/23203751/robbery-review-jamie-mullarkey-vs-michael-johnson-at-ufc-vegas-58) It was a completely bizarre card for anyone with basic understanding of the scoring criteria and a functioning set of eyeballs, both of which Crosby seems to lack. Holly Holm (UFC Vegas 55)](https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/5/23/23137704/robbery-review-ketlen-vieira-vs-holly-holm-at-ufc-vegas-55) [Jamie Mullarkey vs. Petr Yan (UFC 273)](https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/4/11/23020097/robbery-review-aljamain-sterling-vs-petr-yan-at-ufc-273) [Michael Page vs. Logan Storley (Bellator 281)](https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/5/16/23074761/robbery-review-michael-page-vs-logan-storley-at-bellator-281) [Ketlen Vieira vs. Rory MacDonald, anyone?](https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/6/18/22539782/robbery-review-gleison-tibau-vs-rory-macdonald-at-pfl-5)), I was optimistic that 2022 would not only feature few judging controversies, but that fans, fighters and media would get even closer to being on the same page when it comes to scoring a fight. The official [stats](http://ufcstats.com/fight-details/049ad6d87b42eba8) had Shevchenko winning the significant strike battle in every round. Still, does one deserve the nod in a championship fight where they spent a large portion of it on defense? I honestly think that this fight missed out on “Fight of the Year” consideration due to how shocking the outcome was, and I’m including the media in this discussion, as I know plenty of my colleagues expected Yan to run through O’Malley. Miranda Maverick, I’m looking at you](https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/7/26/22593860/robbery-review-maycee-barber-vs-miranda-maverick-at-ufc-vegas-32)), and even less that registered on a wider viewership scale ( [Gleison Tibau vs. In practice, the bout served its purpose for Pimblett, though maybe not in a way that anyone could have expected.