"So is my mom" - When Joe Rogan sarcastically called out judge Adalaide Byrd on her first fight back after controversial Canelo scorecard
Joe Rogan once appeared to utilize sarcasm to jibe at Adalaide Byrd on her first fight back after she'd put forth the controversial Canelo Alvarez-Gennady Golovkin scorecards.
The high-profile first encounter between boxing megastar Canelo Alvarez and fellow boxing legend Gennady Golovkin transpired in Vegas in September 2017. The archrivals' back-and-forth boxing match was deemed a split draw by the three official judges. Nevertheless, many opined that the judges had wronged Golovkin.
Judge Dave Moretti scored it 115-113 in favor of Golovkin. Judge Don Trella scored it 114-114, a draw. Judge Adalaide Byrd scored it 118-110 for Alvarez. Byrd's scorecard was particularly criticized, given the glaring margin by which she'd scored it for Alvarez.
Per the Los Angeles Times, then-NSAC (Nevada State Athletic Commission) Executive Director Bob Bennett noted that Byrd needed "a break." The belief was that the NSAC lent its support to the veteran judge but effectively sidelined her for the remainder of 2017.
As noted by UFC play-by-play commentator Jon Anik at UFC 222 in Vegas on March 3, 2018, Adalaide Byrd resumed her judging duties with the Cody Stamann vs. Bryan Caraway bantamweight MMA bout. Anik noted it during the early prelims matchup and jestingly seemed to request his fellow commentators not to shoot the messenger.
Veteran UFC color commentator Joe Rogan chimed in by recalling the Alvarez-Golovkin fight and stating:
"Oh God. She's driving a Ferrari for that fight. She's a nice lady, though."
UFC color commentator and MMA legend Daniel 'DC' Cormier added:
"She's a great lady. The other day I saw her at The Ultimate Fighter, and ... She's a very nice lady. Let's just leave it at that."
Rogan responded by saying:
"So is my mom. I wouldn't want her calling any fights."
Cormier then laughingly pleaded, "Somebody get Joe Rogan." Continuing his apparent sarcastic onslaught against Byrd, Rogan noted:
"My mom would be like, 'Canelo is handsome. Gotta give him the round.'"
Moreover, Cormier later joked that leaving an impression on the judges is important. However, he seemingly stopped short, which is when Rogan asserted:
"Don't say it. We've given that lady enough problems."
Check out Joe Rogan and the others' comments from UFC 222 below:
Joe Rogan's comments ring true over six years later at UFC 310
Adalaida Byrd recently elicited backlash with her scorecards in the Ciryl Gane vs. Alexander Volkov heavyweight rematch at UFC 310 on Dec. 7, 2024. Judges Junichiro Kamijo and Byrd each scored it 29-28 for Gane. Judge Eric Colon had it 29-28 for Volkov. Gane received the split decision victory, but many claimed Volkov was wronged.
As for Joe Rogan, his criticism of Byrd falls in line with his consistent pleas for a systemic overhaul in combat sports judging/scoring.