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Fri Oct 30, 2009 8:45 am EDT

Cecil Peoples, you win the Cagewriter facepalm of the week!

By Maggie Hendricks

Ah, MMA judge Cecil Peoples. Your name is already synonymous with questionable decisions. After the close, disputed decision for Lyoto Machida, you said that "good fans" would have agreed with you. Then, you said that leg kicks just can't win fights. Those who don't agree? Go to hell. Despite the fact that leg kicks can win fights, and have done so on many occasions, you don't win this award for your judging prowess. No, you get it because you can't stop running your mouth.

Something that comes along with the job of the judge is the fact that quite often, people won't agree with your decisions. If you feel the need to justify your decisions to multiple media outlets, and then get so angry at the people who disagree with you that you swear at them, then don't be a judge. Criticism comes along with the job. Deal with it, or move along. 

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  1. mike5o
    1. Posted by mike5o Fri Oct 30, 2009 8:54 am EDT

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    You go Maggie!!
  2. mmaflash
    2. Posted by mmaflash Fri Oct 30, 2009 8:54 am EDT

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    Leg kicks won the fight between Rampage & Forrest.
  3. Rob R
    3. Posted by Rob R Fri Oct 30, 2009 8:55 am EDT

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    Will this be a regular installation? If so, I think it's a great idea. There's always someone out there that needs a good facepalming.
  4. DrAwesome
    4. Posted by DrAwesome Fri Oct 30, 2009 9:17 am EDT

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    WTF is up with everyone just tearing this guy to shreds? It was a close fight and leg kicks are effective strikes, no doubt about it, but they certainly oughtn't be scored as heavily as punches to the head or kicks to the body, IMO.
    I do agree that judges shouldn't feel the need to justify themselves to anybody, but there's this weird piling on going on here and at every blog that seems a little odd. Did Peoples run over every blogger's dogs?
  5. Patrón
    5. Posted by Patrón Fri Oct 30, 2009 9:31 am EDT

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    This man is always involved in bad decisions, how is he still around?! Every time they read his scorecard it's something wacky
  6. Patrón
    6. Posted by Patrón Fri Oct 30, 2009 9:33 am EDT

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    #4, Peoples has been awful for years, regardless of this fight.
  7. Barry McCociner
    7. Posted by Barry McCociner Fri Oct 30, 2009 9:34 am EDT

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    It's just one fight and cecil peoples has more judging ability in his pubic hair than you maggie. Deal with it or move along.
  8. JJ
    8. Posted by JJ Fri Oct 30, 2009 9:39 am EDT

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    DrAwesome....why would punches to the head or kicks to the body be scored more heavily than leg kicks? I would think they should be scored equally. You don't think leg kicks can do any damage? Do you watch MMA? The leg kicks from Rua were devastating if you watch the fight. Machida was dragging his leg. It completely took away Machida's ability to explode and move. If you watched the Pat Berry fight, he had to switch stances after a couple of leg kicks. Leg kicks may not knock a fighter out but they should be scored just as equally as punches and kicks to the body and they have caused fighters to quit or be unable to continue. I agree with you that it was a close fight. The first three rounds were very close. I only watched the fight once but I thought Rua landed more kicks/punches than Machida. Rua won rounds 4 and 5 convincingly. I was just glad that it was a great fight. I thought Rua deserved to win so I'll definitely be hoping that he beats Machida when they fight again.
  9. David L
    9. Posted by David L Fri Oct 30, 2009 9:50 am EDT

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    I can't believe it but I actually agree with you Maggie! Peoples is the drizzling sh%ts when it comes to judging. There have been more than one time when his score is read for a fight and I, and everyone else sceam "WTF?!"
    Is there any way to get this guy removed?
  10. The Unsilent Majority
    10. Posted by The Unsilent Majority Fri Oct 30, 2009 9:50 am EDT

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    So you think he should shrug off getting death threats over an MMA fight? People are out of their minds over this decision, and the nonstop [profane]ing has Peoples out of his mind, and rightfully so.
  11. Rob R
    11. Posted by Rob R Fri Oct 30, 2009 9:58 am EDT

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    If I remember right, Cecil Peoples was one of the judges that scored Bisping-Hamill for Bisping. I'm not sure what other controversial decisions he's been a part of.
    To me, Adalaide Byrd is the one that needs her head checked. She scored Akiyama-Belcher 30-27 for Akiyama. WHAAAA?! She's had plenty of other blunders too, and her boxing scoring isn't much better.
    Let's face it...the state ACs appoint judges based more on who you know than merit.
  12. frazierfan86
    12. Posted by frazierfan86 Fri Oct 30, 2009 10:26 am EDT

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    #7: Next week's facepalm of the week?
  13. Luis C
    13. Posted by Luis C Fri Oct 30, 2009 10:30 am EDT

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    Cecil Peoples is to MMA Judging, what Maggie Hendricks is to MMA blogging
  14. Barry McCociner
    14. Posted by Barry McCociner Fri Oct 30, 2009 10:50 am EDT

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    nope, sorry frazierfan...
  15. Steven W
    15. Posted by Steven W Fri Oct 30, 2009 11:09 am EDT

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    sorry barry...i'd have to agree with frazierfan. it's one thing to plead for the moving along of this issue...it's totally different to applaud cecil people's judging abilities, not to mention bringing up his pubic hair. if that doesn't deserve a facepalm, i don't know what does.....i'd have to say it's pending until somebody says or does something a little more ridiculous (there's still a chance).
  16. mike k
    16. Posted by mike k Fri Oct 30, 2009 11:17 am EDT

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    hey barry mccociner. do you know how i know you're gay.... because you're thinking about cecil peoples' pubic hair.
  17. Rob R
    17. Posted by Rob R Fri Oct 30, 2009 11:30 am EDT

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    Don't worry, Barry...the week is young. I'm sure someone else will earn the facepalm before next Friday. Probably somebody on TUF.
  18. Instant Money
    18. Posted by Instant Money Fri Oct 30, 2009 11:44 am EDT

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    I hope that we will see an immediate rematch between the Dragon and Shogun, while it is still fresh on everyone's mind. I still think Donald Cerrone got a rawer deal than Shogun. The judges gave Ben the fight for NOT getting CHOKED OUT! Great take-down defense and submission defense shouldn't score points. Leg kicks might not be exciting, but they are still effective offensive strikes.
  19. Timothy V
    19. Posted by Timothy V Fri Oct 30, 2009 11:47 am EDT

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    Bottom line is we need judges who have knowledge on MMA. Get these Boxing judges out of here!! That will really help solve these type of issues. Leg kicks is what what the difference if the Forrest Rampage fight. Look at how many times Cro Cop has ended a fight with a kick or how people are able to control a fighter due to kicks. It is complete and utter shiz how this guy could say kicks do not win a fight.
    Yes this was a close fight and it could have gone either way however, I think the backlash would not be like it is if Rua walked away with the belt. A rematch is being planned and we will see who comes out this time to win. More then likely Rua and Machida will try to end it this time. Should make for a very fun and exciting fight.
  20. Clifford J
    20. Posted by Clifford J Fri Oct 30, 2009 12:11 pm EDT

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    #11: 30--27 Akiyama???? Ha ha ha ha. Man. And I even think he won that fight.
    MMA and boxing judges are on crack. I think they overthink things. Instead of just being like, well, the one guy kicked the other guy more than he kicked him, they go all like: "who had more octagon control? what even is octagon control? how do I even know I exist?"
  21. ABabs
    21. Posted by ABabs Fri Oct 30, 2009 12:33 pm EDT

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    I never felt that Machida was in trouble during this fight, although he was definitely losing the battle of attrition. On the other hand, there were a couple times where Machida got Shogun against the cage, threw a flurry of punches, and it looked like one more solid connect would have put Shogun out.
    In a Brazilian interview, Shogun said his tactics for a rematch would be exactly the same as the first fight, and of course Machida will stay with his counter-attack karate. In other words, a rematch is going to be just as technical as the first fight, and not the barn-burner many fans are envisioning. I would not be surprised to see another decision rendered.
  22. jon
    22. Posted by jon Fri Oct 30, 2009 12:41 pm EDT

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    Leg kicks can't win fights is a rediculous statement. How about we put him in the ring with Anderson Silva and watch as Anderson does his fancy leg kicks to him and ask him if his legs feel like bursting or not and whether that would have significant effect on your game.
  23. DrAwesome
    23. Posted by DrAwesome Fri Oct 30, 2009 12:42 pm EDT

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    JJ did you even read my post?
    Leg kicks are effective, but certainly are less likely to directly and immediately cause a finish to a fight. They are an excellent tool to weaken legs(as Shogun used them), not dissimilar to the way in which jabs can set up power shots. Is an uppercut more effective at causing damage than a jab? I believe so, in the same way a hook or body kick is more effective at causing damage than a leg kick is.
    I don't disrespect the leg kick and I think it is an essential part of any MMA fighter's repertoire.
  24. Allen
    24. Posted by Allen Fri Oct 30, 2009 12:50 pm EDT

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    Bravo Maggie!!!! Bravo!!!!!
    This blog shows some major "balls" (please pardon the term), but thanks for writing it.
    Peoples has proved by his inept ability to score a fight. And making a statement like he made solidifies it.
    I love those pics surrounding Cecil Pee-pee holes.
    Cecil if you messa wit da Pope, you are a gonna get it.
    Is the polar bear bummed because there isn't any Coke left? Or is he bummed after watching UFC 104 and TUF 10?
  25. Allen
    25. Posted by Allen Fri Oct 30, 2009 12:53 pm EDT

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    And here's a question by all this logic of scoring leg strikes.
    Pat Barry's first UFC win came via a TKO because his opponent (Dan Evensen) quit after a series of nasty leg strikes.
    If this fight would have gone to the judges, does that mean Barry didn't do enough to win the fight?
    His punches were good, but his leg strikes were stellar and just down right nasty.
    Just food for thought.

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