Daniel Cormier Calls for UFC Scoring System Reform, Criticizes Merab Dvalishvili’s Takedown Style

UFC legend Daniel Cormier asserts that the promotion`s method for scoring wrestling exchanges presents a significant issue.

As a former two-division UFC champion with an extensive wrestling background, Daniel Cormier`s insights on the sport are highly regarded.

Therefore, when the seasoned UFC commentator passionately criticizes the current system for evaluating wrestling, it signals a legitimate concern.

For many years, athletic commissions have faced scrutiny regarding their fight scoring methodologies, which frequently remain ambiguous within the sport.

Cormier`s Critique of the Current Scoring System

Just weeks prior, UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili successfully defended his belt against Cory Sandhagen in another dominant display.

Known as `The Machine,` Dvalishvili showcased his exceptional cardiovascular endurance, controlling Sandhagen for five rounds and, according to UFC statistics, completing 20 out of 37 attempted takedowns.

However, Cormier has challenged the significance of Dvalishvili`s 20 takedowns, arguing that most should not have been counted towards scoring and that the entire system requires substantial revision.

“I have long had a problem with how they score Mixed Martial Arts takedowns,” Cormier began explaining during a recent episode of “Good Guy/Bad Guy.”

“The MMA takedown is a problem, the way that they score MMA takedowns is the problem. A takedown should be when you go to the mat, a takedown should not be when you get back up and the guy picks you up and puts you back down.

“They should get us in a room, let us tell them what a takedown is and then those numbers won’t seem so big. Merab didn’t get 20 takedowns, Merab probably got five or six takedowns and he got 14 mat returns,” Cormier elaborated.

Dvalishvili Set to Make UFC History in December

Despite Cormier`s assessment of Dvalishvili`s wrestling approach, there is no denying his emergence as one of the UFC`s all-time great fighters.

After persistently requesting a quick return to achieve the historic feat of defending his title four times within a single calendar year, Dana White granted his wish, awarding him the main event slot at UFC 323.

The Georgian athlete is scheduled to face Petr Yan in a rematch of their 2023 encounter, a bout where Dvalishvili successfully executed 11 of an astounding 49 takedown attempts.