The Couchside Judges MMA Podcast

May 20 2024 293 ep. 49 mins 4

The Couchside Judges MMA Podcast artwork

Ever sit at home wondering why the judges scored the latest hotly-debated UFC fight the way they did? The Couchside Judges will clue you in. Hosted by Scott Fontana, the New York Post’s MMA reporter, and longtime fight fan Dan Urban, this weekly podcast is essential listening to understand how fights are judged. These two friends have spoken with many of the top judges, referees and regulators in the world for years, honing an understanding of how these men and women apply the MMA scoring criteria to decide round winners and when is the right time to pull the trigger on a 10-8 score. After every UFC event, as well as select bouts outside the Octagon, Scott and Dan examine every Contested Round to figure out how the judges may have been seeing the action. Can it be justified by the criteria? That’s the essential question these Jersey guys seek to answer. Subscribe to The Couchside Judges right now. You’ll be a wiser fight fan for it.

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E293 - Adios Amigos ... UFC Vegas 92; Bellator: Paris

May 20 2024 91 mins

The Couchside Judges MMA Podcast has reached its end. But between UFC Vegas 91 and Bellator Paris, the fights send the show out with a whole bunch to break down from a wild championship alternative decision to a disqualification. This being the final episode, Dan and Scott have some farewell thoughts and sentiments to express to their loyal listeners. Please stick around to the end

E292 - UFC St. Louis: Derrick Lewis vs. Rodrigo Nascimento

May 13 2024 65 mins

In the penultimate episode of the Couchside Judges, Scott and Dan have their hands full with all sorts of Contested Rounds and Adventures in Officiating from the UFC's return to Missouri. That includes a unanimous 10-8 that the hosts ponder as a potential 10-7. linktr.ee/couchsidejudges

E291 - UFC 301: Alexandre Pantoja vs. Steve Erceg

May 06 2024 49 mins

It almost happened. The Couchside Judges nearly had a full UFC event without a single Contested Round. And one of the hosts has to accept some (all?) of the blame, as you'll soon find out. Nonetheless, Scott and Dan soldier on and break down the lone round — early in the UFC 301 main event. Plus, Scott and Dan have a major announcement to make. Don't miss this episode. linktr.ee/

E290 - UFC Vegas 91: Matheus Nicolau vs. Alex Perez

Apr 29 2024 29 mins

More fights were delivered from the UFC warehouse because, hey, ESPN demands it. Most weren't consequential, but they did provide Scott and Dan with three helpings of 10-8/10-9 splits to evaluate. Those, plus a split decision in the curtain jerker, make for the bulk of this week's episode ahead of a more meaty PPV event next week. linktr.ee/couchsidejudges

E289 - PFL 3: Welterweights & Featherweights

Apr 22 2024 39 mins

PFL had the weekend to itself amid a post-UFC 300 break. The fights were solid and — blessedly — without major judging controversy. Scott and Dan have six Contested Rounds to break down, and for whatever reason the co-hosts were not on the same page as frequently as usual. But the biggest officiating outcry came in the form of a perceived early stoppage in Brendan Loughnane's w

E288 - UFC 300: Alex Pereira vs. Jamahal Hill

Apr 15 2024 82 mins

Sorry, fellow judging nerds: Scott and Dan have a whole lot of thoughts about the massive UFC 300 before they even get to the scoring breakdown. Just have a good time looking back on the historic card with the hosts until they get to Contested Rounds to examine a pair of split decisions, some 10-8/10-9 splits and two of the most lopsided, potential 10-7s so far this year. linktr.ee

E287 - UFC Vegas 90; PFL 1: 2024

Apr 08 2024 55 mins

Three straight split decisions to end the night at UFC Apex dominates this week's scoring recap, including from a potential fight of the year contender in the Brendan Allen vs. Chris Curtis headlining rematch. Less needed to say about PFL's regular season opener in Texas which, against all odds, was practically a beacon of judging normality. Go figure! linktr.ee/couchsidejudges

E286 - UFC Atlantic City: Erin Blanchfield vs. Manon Fiorot

Apr 03 2024 64 mins

Two days late and two dollars short, but the CSJ are finally back to report on UFC Atlantic City, where Scott was the fellow in the blue shirt and glasses seated behind the blue corner. ("Hello, friends!") Dan and his cohort have a split decision to break down in addition to a handful of other Contested Rounds, but the big officiating subject matter coming out of A.C. was on the re

E285 - UFC Vegas 89: Rose Namajunas vs. Amanda Ribas

Mar 26 2024 45 mins

You know, the CSJ had every intention of speaking about the Contested Rounds across both UFC Vegas 89 and PFLator. Why will there be no breakdown of the three rounds from two Bellator title fights? Ask ya boi Max! At any rate, Dan and Scott have some thoughts on the five rounds from that Las Vegas warehouse in which the judges weren't on the same page, and they're worth your time .

E284 - UFC Vegas 88: Marcin Tybura vs. Tai Tuivasa

Mar 18 2024 65 mins

UFC Vegas 88, arguably the most pivotal MMA event in 2024, has come and gone, and — alright, so it was Apex filler of the lowest order. But some fascinating scorecards emerged from the Vegas warehouse over the weekend including a split decision that featured *two* unanimous 10-8s, one for each fighter. You just don't see 28-27s both ways every day, folks. Scott and Dan dive into