Fans saw Bassil Hafez face off against highly regarded rising welterweight prospect Della Maddalena (15-2 MMA, 5-0 UFC) at Saturday’s event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Despite the high expectations surrounding his performance, Hafez’s fight resulted in a narrow defeat after a split decision.
But Hafez opposes the judges and thinks he won. So, continue reading to find out why the fighter challenges the decision.
Following the verdict, a lot of fighters stated on social media that Hafez was treated unfairly on the scorecards. They believed his strong first and second rounds before Della Maddalena roared back in the third should have been enough to have his hand raised, but two of the three judges disagreed.
It’s a bitter pill for Hafez to take, but he’s handled the outcome with dignity. He acknowledged that the conditions were not perfect, but he believed he should have been chosen.
Hafez expressed his gratitude to everyone who had reached out and congratulated him, stating on his Instagram stories that he thought he had won the fight. Additionally, Hafez humbly recognized that there were areas where he could have improved. Furthermore, he subtly alluded to the challenging nature of the weight cut he experienced for the fight, describing it as an arduous endeavor unlike any he had encountered before. Nevertheless, he emphasized that he had shown up, successfully made weight, and fought with all his heart.
Hafez expressed his love for his fans and supporters and thanked them sincerely. He considered this moment to be just the beginning of his journey and eagerly anticipated the opportunity to have a proper training camp and weight cut in the future. Hafez extended his congratulations to Jack, acknowledging him as a formidable opponent with excellent striking skills. Hafez highlighted his ability to withstand Jack’s punches and even hinted at the possibility of a rematch between them someday.
Hafez, 31, trains at Denver’s Elevation Fight Team. Training partners Justin Gaethje and Anthony Smith weighed in on his first performance, saying they were not shocked by the newcomer’s persistence.
So, what are your thoughts on Saturday’s fight decision? Do you agree with Hafez or the judges? Let us know in the comments!
