Rinat Fakhretdinov says decision ‘could have gone either way’

ABU DHABI – Many viewers were surprised by what they heard when the official decision of his fight was read out on Saturday, but Rinat Fakhretdinov wasn’t.

After his unanimous decision, he won Carlos Leal bee UFC308Fakhretdinov (23-1-1 MMA, 5-0-1 UFC) expressed his disagreement with the broadcast team that the judges got it wrong.

“Why were they surprised with the decision?” Fakhretdinov told MMA Junkie and other reporters at his UFC 308 post-fight press conference. “… Really bad commentators. … The first round was pretty close. It could have gone either way. There was no doubt in my mind that the second or third round was mine. After your words, people will say again that the Arabs bought the decision.”

According to MMA decisions100 percent of voting media members scored the fight for Leal, while more than 75 percent of viewers also scored the fight for the Brazilian.

The court of public opinion is meaningless when it comes to victory being added to its win column. Fakhretdinov now has a 23-fight undefeated streak, the current longest in the promotion. Fakhretdinov believes he is ready for the best of the welterweight division and is eagerly awaiting the next call-up.

“It doesn’t matter,” Fakhretdinov said. “Everyone from the top 15, top 10, if you put me in front of me, will be the same. I will achieve victory. Maybe it won’t be easy. It will be a difficult victory, but I will win. … Even the day after tomorrow I can fight for the title if you give me the chance.”

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