UFC 327 fighter whose victory was overturned an hour after winning submits formal protest to Florida commission

MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 11: Chris Padilla reacts after a victory against MarQuel Mederos in a lightweight fight during the UFC 327 event at Kaseya Center on April 11, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC)

Chris Padilla was declared the winner of his MarQuel Mederos matchup on the UFC 327 “Prelims” card last weekend in Miami, which to the casual observer, appeared to be the right call. Especially since Mederos was docked one point in the final frame for blatant eye pokes.

Then something unusual happened.

About an hour after the fight, the decision was reversed and the bout was ruled a majority draw. So either Bruce Buffer read the wrong result (it happens sometimes) or the “Veteran Voice of the Octagon” was given incorrect information by the commission prior to his announcement.

Buffer hasn’t been heard from since UFC 327.

“I respect the judges, but I stand by what I did in there, and I believe this decision deserves to be reviewed,” Padilla told MMA Fighting after submitting a formal review to Florida Athletic Commission (FAC). “I believe I won that fight clearly under the scoring criteria; in damage, control, and overall impact. It’s tough to accept that the fight was even close on the scorecards, especially when the performance spoke for itself along with the point deduction given to my opponent.”

The 30 year-old Padilla (17-6-1), who joined the promotion back in early 2024, came into the Mederos fight on the strength of a seven-fight winning streak with six of those victories coming by way of knockout or decision. Similarly, the 29 year-old Mederos (11-1-1) had won nine in a row heading into UFC 327.

Immediate rematch?