Bassil Hafez thinks the judges dropped the ball in his promotional debut loss to Jack Della Maddalena at UFC on ESPN 49.
Hafez (8-4-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) stepped as much as combat extremely touted surging welterweight prospect Della Maddalena (15-2 MMA, 5-0 UFC) on simply 5 days’ discover at Saturday’s occasion on the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. He was an enormous betting underdog for the combat. He almost pulled off the upset, however got here out on the incorrect finish of a cut up determination.
After the choice, plenty of fighters expressed on social media that Hafez was accomplished incorrect on the scorecards. Robust first and second rounds from him earlier than Della Maddalena stormed again within the third ought to’ve been sufficient to get his hand raised, they thought, however two of the three judges didn’t agree.
It’s a troublesome capsule to swallow for Hafez, however he’s dealt with the outcome with grace. He stated he is aware of the circumstances weren’t perfect, however nonetheless thinks he ought to’ve obtained the nod.
“I need to say thanks to everybody reaching out, congratulating me,” Hafez stated on his Instagram tales. “I assumed I received the combat. I undoubtedly nonetheless may’ve accomplished extra. One of many hardest weight cuts of my life, however I nonetheless confirmed up, made weight and fought my coronary heart out. I like all my followers, all my individuals. Thanks. That is just the start. Can’t wait to get a camp and a correct weight minimize, and congratulations to Jack. He’s a beast and his hanging is on level. I confirmed that I can take his punches and possibly we’ll meet once more sooner or later.”
Bassil Hafez’s response to his cut up determination loss at #UFCVegas77 pic.twitter.com/cHGd2NTjTW
— MMA Mania (@mmamania) July 16, 2023
Hafez, 31, trains at Elevation Combat Workforce in Denver. Coaching companions reminiscent of Justin Gaethje and Anthony Smith have chimed in on his debut efficiency, and stated they weren’t in any respect stunned in regards to the tenacity of the newcomer.
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