Three experienced officials: the biggest authority in Europe - Marc Goddard, one of the most renowned referees in Poland, UFC, M-1 and ACB regular - Łukasz Bosacki and the 100-fight-experienced UFC judge Mark Collett analyze and score KSW 35 main event - Khalidov vs Karaoglu
 
Marc Goddard
 
Following on from this past weekends fight at KSW 35 between Mahmed Khalidov and Aziz Karagolou I would like to offer some clarity and a little explanation as requested.
The fight was a closely contested one, much closer than what people actually think all though we can cut through some fairly obvious points very quickly. The only round in that fight where there may be some contention or harder to understand scoring would be Round 2. Both round one and round three were very easy to understand and to score with 1 belonging to Mahmed and round three belonging to Aziz.

This leaves us with the second round which out of the three rounds was perhaps the most difficult to score. Again when watching the second round and understanding the correct criteria used to score mixed martial arts it is quite clear that Mahmed won that round also. We will see Mahmed go to ground with an open guard quite often - but the important point to note here is that every time Mahmed would go to ground he would set it up with an attack of his own, mostly spinning kicks, backfists etc. Mahmed would initiate the attack and then fall to the ground with an open guard looking to attack from there.
 
Again what a judge is looking for is something of significance or an edge to a particular fighter in a round - and in the second round the most significant thing would be Mahmeds triangle attempt - this along with the strikes that he threw gave him that second round, which was a close round.
I believe what makes this fight more difficult for the casual fan, observer or those who do not actually judge the fight is the lasting memory of a particular fight, in this case the third round. As I have previously stated this round was clearly a round scored to Aziz but what people often fail to realise is that the previous two rounds, as have been clearly stated where already scored to Khalidov - and correctly so.
 
Even in the third round as detailed Mahmed would go to ground AFTER initiating his own attacks and to those watching this would be the lasting memory of the fight, forgetting the previous two rounds. Another important point to note is that all three judges scored both rounds one and two exactly the same. That’s three judges with six possible scores all 10-9 in favour of Khalidov and correctly so. Again all three judges in round 3 agreed and scored the round correctly to Aziz - but to reiterate the previous two rounds won by Mahmed were enough to secure him the victory 29-28, 29-28 and 28-28 (one judge gave Aziz round three 10-8) the score of 10-8 in the final round was not something that I had agreed with as what we are looking for in terms of attributing a 10-8 score is something of significance for a prolonged period of the round and that just did not happen. Either way it is totally irrelevant as the correct person under the scoring criteria of mixed martial arts won that fight.
 
I have been involved with the some of the most prolific events and fights in mixed martial arts around the World for more years than most and I can assure you that the correct fighter in Khalidov won that fight. I train and deliver seminars world wide for both judges and referees in mixed martial arts. Yes it may have not been pretty, it may have not been what fans had expected but in fights sometimes that is what you get - it is unpredictable. KSW are going to great lengths to bring in foreign well trained officials to give the fighters the best possible outcome.
 
I simply do not see what the outcry or misunderstanding is here but I understand it is both unfair and unrealistic to expect every single fan or reporter of mixed martial arts to understand the scoring criteria and how it is applied but I do hope that this explanation goes some way to offering an explanation and assuring you that the correct outcome was achieved.
Please take it from me that in that fight there is simply no wrong doing and the correct fighter had won by two rounds to one no question.
 
My tanks." - Marc Goddard.
 
Łukasz Bosacki
 
“I awarded the first round to Mamed, what does not need any special justification, as the round is clear. I also scored the second round for Mamed, because he had more effective offence, landed more strikes as well as applied a triangle choke which forced Karaoglu to defend himself. The third round is 10-9 for Aziz, his advantage was visible. Khalidov had some moments in this round, but Karaoglu landed more effective offense. I scored the entire fight 29-28 for Mamed Khalidov” 
 
Mark Collett
 
Round 1.
The round begins with Khalidov keeping at long range with Karaoglu attempting to cut off the cage. Khalidov throws a front kick and low round kick and maintains distance with lateral movement. No strikes thrown by Karaoglu as yet as he attempts to find the range for his hands. After a few fakes Khalidov misses with a spinning back kick which results in a slip and a scramble with Karaoglu momentarily landing on top but failing to capitalise. Back to their feet quickly Khalidov again throwing front kicks and Karaoglu is unable to find range to land clean punches as Khalidov back peddles and drops to an open guard. Ref Marc Goddard resets both fighters from standing and Khalidov shoots a single and after a scramble lands on top in half guard. Karaoglu recovers guard, Khlidov attempts to pass and and sits back for a straight footlock which Karaoglu defends but Khalidov recovers to top position once more in half guard. Khalidov passes to mount and then back control followed by some effective G&P. The bell goes for the end of the round just as the referee advises Khalidov to be careful with the accuracy of some of his elbow strikes. A straightforward 10-9 for Khalidov
 
Round 2
The round begins with Khalidov throwing a front kick and slipping to his back to an open guard. Karaoglu lands several kicks to the calves of the grounded opponent but the ref resets both athletes from standing. Khalidov just misses with a spinning hook kick to the head before throwing a right hand before dropping to open guard and avoiding Karaoglu’s counter. Khalidov stands up and Karaoglu stalks him looking to land but still not finding the range. Another front kick and a missed jumping spinning kick resulting in Khalidov slipping to his open guard again. This unorthodox tactic from Khalidov of attacking then avoiding counters by dropping to an open guard appears to be working so far. Back to standing Khalidov lands a long range right hand and throws a front kick. Karaoglu is still struggling to land anything effective. With Karaoglu closing Khalidov misses with a wheel kick and once again drops to an open guard. Karaoglu chases with a right hook, Khalidov throws a jumping knee but gets grazed with a right counter and again drops to open guard. Back up to their feet khalidov lands a low kick and again sits to open guard. Karaoglu backs off and Khalidov stands. A grazing left hook from Khalidov and then a right hand before dropping immediately to open guard once more. This time Karaoglu follows to the canvas. Khalidov lands hammer fists from the bottom and attacks with a triangle. Karaoglu survives and is in open guard but fails to land anything effective. He is warned by Mark Goddard for illegal strikes and then stands up. With both fighters now standing Khalidov twice more throws a right hand before dropping to open guard yet again before the bell rings. The crowd appear unhappy with Kalidov’s tactics however it’s another 10-9 in favour of the red corner.
 
Round 3
Both fighters touch gloves for the start, Karaoglu appears to be the less tired of the two. He lands 2 low kicks and throws a couple of right hands. Khalidov avoids again by dropping to open guard after throwing a front kick. He is stood up immediately by the ref this time. Karaoglu pursues with a low kick and some punches but misses the target as Khalidov back peddles out of range. Khalidov dives for a shot but is Karaoglu side steps and he rolls to open guard. Karaoglu lands a few kicks to the calves of the grounded Khalidov before he is stood back up by the ref. Karaoglu throws a right hook and then an overhand right which lands and drops Khalidov momentarily. He jumps back up throwing a spinning kick which he misses and again drops to his open guard defence. He is stood up again by the ref. Khalidov throws a few long range rights followed by some forward rolls into his open guard position. Karaoglu pursues with punches but again his opponent drops to the mat defensively. This time referee Marc Goddard calls time and warns Khalidov’s corner about his tactics. The fight is restarted and Khalidov lunges with a punch and shoots low again forward rolling this time to his feet. Karaoglu presses forward landing leg kicks. He pushes forward with punches, Khalidov shoots but is sprawled upon. Karaoglu drops back for a guillotine, is rolled over but lands on top with head control. Khalidov escapes and rolls back to an open guard. Karaoglu pressures forward with Khalidov back peddling landing leg kicks and solid right hand to the body. A right uppercut drops Khalidov. Karaoglu attacks his open guard but then steps back as Khalidov is stood up. Karaoglu chases with one final right hand before the bell signals the end of the bout. This time Khalidov’s tactics are not enough and Karaoglu lands the more effective striking to take the round 10-9 in favour of the blue corner.
 
29-28 Khalidov