Report: Adalaide Byrd’s assignment to UFC 216 in question after Canelo vs. GGG fiasco

There’s conflicting reports surrounding Adalaide Byrd’s immediate judging future. The veteran MMA and boxing official has been in the thick of controversy following September 16th’s high profile boxing match between Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin.

A close fought war that most fans and pundits scored for Kazakhstan’s ‘GGG,’ the fight ended in a split draw after Byrd turned in a shocking 118-110 card for Canelo – the other ringside judges had the fight 115-113 Golovkin and 114-114. The result caused many sports books to offer refunds on straight bets on the winner and sent rumors swirling of possible official corruption.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) was quick to stand behind Byrd, with director Bob Bennett saying, “I think she’s an outstanding judge, and in any business, sometimes you have a bad day. She saw the fight differently. It happens.”

Now, however, there’s word out that Byrd may be removed from the upcoming UFC 216 fight card on October 7th in Las Vegas, to give her time to “regroup.” CBS affiliate KLAS-TV Sports Director Chris Maathuis first reported the news on Twitter.

But, that isn’t the final word. MMA Fighting has somewhat conflicting information, saying that no decision on Byrd has been made as of yet. Byrd herself told the outlet, “I don’t know anything about that,” when asked about the commission giving her a break from judging upcoming events.

Bennett told Fighting that he will speak with chairman Anthony Marnell III and with Byrd, and that they “will decide in a week or so,” about keeping her on UFC 216.

UFC 216 is set to feature a pair of title fights, with Tony Ferguson battling Kevin Lee for the interim lightweight belt in the main event. A flyweight tilt between champion Demetrious Johnson and Ray Borg – previously scheduled for UFC 215 – is expected for the co-main.