Adam Wardzinski was one of the ones to watch at IBJJF Worlds – especially given his fascinating displays at various World Pro events this season. Still the biggest representative of Europe believes it was the refs that seriously hindered his attempts (and a case for that could be proven according to evidence attached below) to conquer Worlds. He issued a statement saying:

“I never make excuses. Losing a close battle, sometimes I was crushed, I don’t always judge in dycyzja remisowych fights was in my favor. I never made excuses. Unfortunately when you fight not only against his opponent with the judges but also it’s really hard to win.

In the battle first ćwierćfinałowej granted me full points for the guard after sweepie, then at the end were fighting were not granted me 2 points for the sweep…

As always, nothing can be done about it so the premise remains a smiley mask and pretend that nothing happened.

Ibjjf that was disgusting. Thank you all for kept thumbs and also hot cheering at the game. Huge thanks to my coach Alan ‘Finfou’ Nascimento for all your help and support.

I’ll be back better and stronger! ?? I never make any excuses. I was loosing close fights, I got smashed many times, few times I lost by ref decision. I was never looking for any excuses about that. Unfortunately when You fight against Your opponent and refferies at the same time its really hard to win.

In my quarter final fight I was awarded 3 points for legit guard pass after a sweep, than ref took it off. At the end of the fight I wasn’t awarded two points for a sweep…

As always we can’t do nothing about it so the only thing we can do is to put on a mask with a smile and act like nothing happened.

Ibjjf it was disgusting. I would like to thank everyone for keeping their fingers crossed for me and for beeing such a great crowd at the venue. Especially I woul like to thank my professor Alan Do Nascimento for all the help and support.

I will be back stronger!”

Of course we couldn’t help but take a look at the fight in question.

To start of the fight Souza executed the sweep for the lead of 2-0. But Wardzinski quickly retaliated from his favorite position – butterfly guard with belt grip.

At that point he also passed for a 5-2. Observe the clock in the bottom left corner.

But with 7 minutes and 45 seconds remaining the refs questioned the call and deducted the 3 points from Wardzinski.

At this point whoever was cornering for Wardzinski should’ve challenged the call because the IBJJF rulebook clearly sates:

They should have immediately contested and demand video replay with an eye on the timer – Galvao style. But the controversial calls don’t end there.

Souza would soon lead 4-2. But Wardzinski then goes and sweeps again for a 4-4. Souza executed another sweep for 6-4 with about a minute left on the clock. Which is where controversy two happened:

The flograppling’s commentary says it all:

(high pitched and excited)”Did they give it (sweep points) to him? They didn’t give it to him”

All the while Souza waved off the crowd as his hand was ultimately raised as the victor of the match.

Full replay of the match is available on flograppling.

Was Wardzinski Robbed? If we want the sport the grow should things like this have consequences?