Speaking on the Anik and Florian podcast recently, Ray Longo stuck up for Stephen Thompson, saying that the bout was an easy one to score and that even though “Wonderboy” didn’t do much, he still did more than Till.

“I really thought it was an easy fight to score - minimum three rounds to two for Wonderboy, maybe four,” Longo said. “When they announced those scores - 49-46 - I thought it was definitely him. It’s not an exciting fight, a very tactical chess game, but I just think that Darren Till did nothing. It’s not even what Wonderboy did, it’s what Darren Till didn’t do. Add in the fact that he missed weight, I just think it’s a no win situation for him in that fight.

“It was a close fight, there’s no question about that, but I just don’t know how you give any of those first three rounds to Darren Till. I looked at one or two rounds over again and it’s just weird. He really didn’t do anything. There was a lot of posturing. Wonderboy at least caught him coming in a couple of times, I thought. I guess you can’t leave it to the judges.”

Longo is one half of the Serra-Longo fight team that is responsible for training UFC stars Chris Weidman, Al Iaquinta, Aljamain Sterling, and more; he also has had a working relationship with Thompson for years. “Wonderboy” frequently spars with some of the Serra-Longo fight team and his brother is married to Weidman’s sister. This connection could be coloring Longo’s interpretation of the bout but the outcome was fairly controversial, not just because many disagreed with Till getting the win but because of the issues the day before the fight. Till was unable to make the 171 pound weight limit and so a catchweight bout had to be negotiated and that’s what really grinds Longo’s gears. Longo says that with so many fighters missing weight these days, it’s even worse than taking PEDs as far as gaining an advantage inside the cage goes.

“I think they’re gonna have to readdress this because at the end of the day it’s cheating,” Longo said. “There’s a higher percentage of wins with guys that don’t make weight than there are with guys that are on PEDs. They’re like 50-50 or even worse. They’re not even winning and they’re literally cheating. These guys [who miss weight] are cheaters at this point. If they’re not doing performance-enhancing drugs, they’ve figured out another way to make it. This guy was willing to give away his whole purse, what does that tell you? He wanted to give away not 20 percent, he wanted to give away his whole purse. So they really have to come up with something because this looks like a problem.

“It’s just not right and everybody’s already forgotten about it. He didn’t make weight and they already moved past that. It’s not two years down the line, it’s two days down the line. It’s actually two days. It’s already over. Nobody mentions the weight at this point. They’re gonna have to come up with something because it looks like it’s worth a couple thousand dollars here and there.”

After missing weight, Till reportedly offered to pay Thompson his entire purse for missing weight but ultimately was only required to give up 30 percent of his fight purse to keep the fight going forward at a catchweight. In the end though, that exchange appears to have been a good one for Till who jumped up to No. 2 in the UFC welterweight rankings - one spot above Wonderboy - and positioned himself for a potential title shot or title eliminator bout later this year. If he does get that opportunity though, Longo says this weight issue could be a “red flag” going forward.

“This was a big fight for that kid and I think it’s a red flag for what’s to come in the future,” Longo said. “Even though he got the W, he’s really acting like he did something tremendous. He really didn’t do anything until the fifth round. I do think he’s a talented guy, big strong kid, and he’s gonna bring it so I’m curious to see what happens with him in the future but that fight, I thought, was an easy fight to score and I would’ve scored that for Wonderboy without a doubt.”

MUST-READ STORIES

Results. The Ultimate Fighter 27, Episode 7 results: Richie Smullen vs. Allan Zuniga.

Ratings. Report: Thompson vs. Till main event is top-rated event in time slot on cable.

MVP. Michael Page says he ‘felt possessed’ in spectacular win over David Rickels.

Loss. Rafael Carvalho says title loss to Gegard Mousasi ruined his light heavyweight plans.

VIDEO STEW

The MMA After Hour including Ric’s Picks.

On adding weight classes.

A nice summary of Bisping’s career.

Cormier on UFC Tonight.

Unseen footage of Khabib leading up to UFC 223.

KSW promos are the illest.

LISTEN UP

Heavy Hands. Discussing Thompson vs. Till and previewing Rivera vs. Moraes.

Fights Gone By. Jack Slack eulogizing the career of Michael Bisping.

Obviously Fight Talk. Discussing Thompson vs. Till and Bisping’s retirement.

SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

Heavy.

@nickdiaz209 drop the club scene. Alcohol and drugs=death We are here 4u anytime brother. — Cesar Gracie (@CesarGracieBJJ) May 30, 2018

A lot going on here.

Saw @BellatorMMA @ScottCoker plans to hold shows in Ireland and people mentioned a SBG vs another team for an event, so let’s do a full card Pitbull Brothers vs SBG. We’ll straight blast you harder than a dolly through a bus glass window. @TheNotoriousMMA is invited. https://t.co/Lm3XTPwZZz — Patricio Freire (@PatricioPitbull) May 30, 2018

Haha shut up you fucking donkey — Peter Queally (@peterqueally) May 30, 2018

I would like to see one of you try to make me do it — Patricio Freire (@PatricioPitbull) May 30, 2018

Ass whoppin is here whenever you want it you sloppy, slow little fucking midget — Peter Queally (@peterqueally) May 30, 2018

I just googled you. You wouldn’t last a round. — Patricio Freire (@PatricioPitbull) May 30, 2018

Just heard you were the one who brought up the idea of SBG vs another team, so don’t be scared now. — Patricio Freire (@PatricioPitbull) May 30, 2018

Scared my bollocks. Step up instead of sending one of your boys and let's go! — Brian Moore (@ThePikemanMoore) May 30, 2018

You talk too big for someone who can’t get by mid-level opposition and was embarassed by a top fighter. Send bigger fish, you’re not even a warm up. — Patricio Freire (@PatricioPitbull) May 30, 2018

You'd be diving for double legs after a minute with your sloppy hands and over worked chin. If you do decide to get off your ass and fight more than once a year - I'll be in Ireland waiting. — Brian Moore (@ThePikemanMoore) May 30, 2018

Pittbull brothers my bollocks! More like two fucking puddles. — james gallagher (@StrabanimalMMA) May 30, 2018

If @BellatorMMA allows I’ll fight the both of you at the same time, perhaps that way you can get past the first round. — Patricio Freire (@PatricioPitbull) May 30, 2018

Usually when an old, beat up, slow dog starts talking shit you put it sleep. I'll happily do it — Brian Moore (@ThePikemanMoore) May 30, 2018

Very impressive how supportive Irish fans are. Beautiful to see. Second only to how delusional some of their fighters are. It’ll be nice to fight in Ireland,but time to focus in Rome. I’ll have a big fish to fry, then return home with a piece of gold these fools can only dream of — Patricio Freire (@PatricioPitbull) May 31, 2018

Respect to some of the Irish fans, but silencing an hostile crowd is one of the best feelings in this sport. I’ll be looking forward to that. https://t.co/DHQskKnlGc — Patricky Freire (@PatrickyPitbull) May 31, 2018

The corniest man alive.

Ralphie! Take all the "vitamins" and say all the prayers you can, cause in 10 days your ass is mine junior! #ufc225 .@rdosanjosmma pic.twitter.com/bPErSdZzJi — Colby Covington (@ColbyCovMMA) May 30, 2018

Poirier fits right in with the CFL.

Congrats!

Hall and Ngannou sparring.

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Charles Oliveira (22-8, 1 NC) vs. Clay Guida (34-17); UFC 225, June 9.

Lando Vannata (9-2-1) vs. Drakkar Klose (8-1-1); UFC 226, July 7.

Gerald Harris (25-6) vs. Yaroslav Amosov (19-0); Bellator 202, July 13.

TODAY IN MMA HISTORY

2014: Gegard Mousasi submitted Mark Munoz at UFC Fight Night 41. On that same night at The Ultimate Fighter Brazil 3 Finale, Stipe Miocic stopped Fabio Maldonado in 35 seconds.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Have a good Thursday and see y’all tomorrow.

EXIT POLL

Poll Does something need to be done about missing weight in MMA? This poll is closed. 94% Yes, there needs to be a rule change. (1532 votes)

5% No, everything is fine. (88 votes) 1620 votes total Vote Now

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