Did Mairon Santos Win UFC 313 Against Francis Marshall? A Closer Look At The Fight

Henrik Larsen

5 min read

Post on May 19, 2025

4.2

Share

Main Points:

Round-by-Round Breakdown of the Mairon Santos vs. Francis Marshall Fight:

Round 1 Analysis:

The first round saw a tentative start, with both fighters feeling each other out. Francis Marshall, known for his aggressive striking, landed a few significant strikes early, connecting with some powerful jabs and crosses. However, Mairon Santos, a skilled grappler, displayed impressive takedown defense, preventing Marshall from securing any takedowns despite multiple attempts.

• Key Moments: Marshall landed a strong right hand midway through the round. Santos successfully defended two takedown attempts, showcasing excellent wrestling.
• Dominance: While Marshall had the edge in significant strikes, Santos's takedown defense and control of the cage arguably gave him a slight advantage in round control.

Round 2 Analysis:

Round 2 witnessed a shift in momentum. Santos, having weathered the initial storm, began to utilize his grappling more effectively, securing a takedown and establishing significant ground control. He controlled Marshall on the ground for a considerable portion of the round, landing several ground and pound strikes. Marshall showed some resilience by escaping the ground control briefly but failed to gain a significant advantage on his feet.

• Key Moments: Santos secured a successful takedown and maintained top control for a large portion of the round. Marshall attempted to reverse but was unable to secure a dominant position.
• Dominance: Santos dominated Round 2 due to his superior ground game and control time.

Round 3 Analysis:

The final round saw a return to a more stand-up battle. Both fighters traded strikes, with Marshall landing more significant strikes but Santos continuing to demonstrate his ability to avoid takedowns and land some counter punches. The pace slowed down slightly in comparison to the second round due to fatigue. Neither fighter achieved a decisive advantage in this round.

• Key Moments: Both fighters landed significant strikes. Neither secured a significant control period.
• Dominance: The round was relatively even, although Marshall likely edged out in significant strikes landed.

Judging Criteria and Scoring:

UFC judging criteria emphasize significant strikes, takedowns, control time, and cage control. A perfect fight would dominate all four categories. While Marshall might have had more significant strikes in Rounds 1 and 3, Santos's control time in Round 2 and overall takedown defense significantly influenced how the fight could be scored. The key question becomes: Did the judges properly weight these factors in their official scoring?

The Official Decision and Public Reaction:

The Verdict:

The official result of the fight was a split decision victory for Francis Marshall.

Post-Fight Analysis:

This decision immediately sparked significant controversy. Many fans and analysts felt the fight was far closer than the split decision suggested, with considerable debate over who actually won. The widespread disagreement fueled heated discussions within the MMA community, highlighting the subjectivity of judging in mixed martial arts.

Social Media Sentiment:

Social media platforms exploded with reactions using hashtags like #UFC313, #MaironSantos, and #FrancisMarshall. The general sentiment leaned towards strong disagreement with the official result, with many feeling that Santos had done enough to win the fight based on the overall performance.

Expert Opinions and Alternative Perspectives:

Analyst Breakdowns:

Several reputable MMA analysts and commentators offered their perspectives on the fight. Some agreed with the official decision, emphasizing Marshall's striking accuracy. However, a considerable number of analysts argued that Santos's superior grappling and control time, particularly in Round 2, should have resulted in a victory for him. The wide range of opinions from MMA experts underscores the ambiguity of the outcome.

Statistical Analysis:

A statistical breakdown of the fight, focusing on significant strikes, takedowns, control time, and other relevant metrics, would provide a more objective assessment. This data could be crucial in determining which fighter truly dominated the fight. Unfortunately, such detailed statistics are not always publicly available for every UFC fight.

Different Scoring Possibilities:

Analyzing different potential scorecards reveals a range of possible outcomes. Depending on how individual judges weighted the various aspects of the fight (striking vs. grappling, control time, etc.), the fight could have reasonably been scored for either fighter. This further emphasizes the subjective and often controversial nature of MMA judging.

Conclusion: Determining the Winner of Mairon Santos vs. Francis Marshall at UFC 313

This analysis of the Mairon Santos vs. Francis Marshall fight at UFC 313 reveals a closely contested matchup with a highly controversial outcome. While the official decision awarded victory to Francis Marshall, a detailed round-by-round breakdown, coupled with expert opinions and the overwhelmingly negative public and social media reaction, suggests a strong case for Mairon Santos winning the fight. The subjective nature of MMA judging is once again brought to the forefront, highlighting the need for greater clarity and consistency in scoring.

Who do you think won the Mairon Santos vs. Francis Marshall fight? Share your thoughts and engage in the discussion in the comments below! Use #UFC313, #MaironSantos, and #FrancisMarshall to join the conversation on social media. Let's keep the debate going about this controversial UFC 313 fight!