Rescoring the fight: Bisping-Hamill

In 2007, Michael Bisping fought fellow "The Ultimate Fighter 3" cast member Matt Hamill in the co-main event of UFC 75. "The Count" was undefeated at the time while Hamill was coming off his first UFC victory a few months earlier.

For context, Bisping won TUF 3 tournament while Hamill was forced off the show due to a concussion after his win over Mike Nickels in the semifinals. Many considered this the "real" finals of TUF 3 and personal animosity brewed between both fighters ahead of the matchup.

Though Bisping came away with a split decision victory, the win is still considered one of the most questionable scorecards in UFC history. theScore's James Lynch revisits this controversial result in hopes of putting the debate to rest.

Event: UFC 75
Date: Sept. 9, 2007
Location: London

Official result: Michael Bisping def. Matt Hamill via split decision (29-28, 27-30, 29-28)

Round 1: Hamill pressed forward and caught Bisping with a right hand, then another. Bisping countered with two inside low kicks but Hamill wasn't phased. "The Hammer" secured his first takedown of the fight, but Bisping was able to get right back on his feet. Hamill landed another right hand and this time Bisping was hurt. The bloody UK fighter then composed himself and landed a solid right hand. Hamill secured another takedown before the bell rang. theScore gives the round to Hamill, 10-9.

Round 2: Hamill caught Bisping's low kick and sent "The Ultimate Fighter 3" winner to the floor. However, it wasn't long before both were back on their feet exchanging strikes. Bisping threw a one-two combination, and Hamill countered with a right elbow to Bisping's skull. Hamill pulled the UK fighter to the mat, but Bisping got back to his feet and threw a left, right combo that glanced. Hamill showed fatigue here but his double jab connected. It was a much closer round, but Hamill edged it out with his takedowns. theScore gives the round to Hamill, 10-9.

Round 3: Bisping opened the third with a powerful left hook and straight right. The Brit followed that up with an uppercut that connected. Hamill shot twice but Bisping stuffed both takedowns. The third time was a charm for Hamill, who secured a takedown on another attempt. Working from half-guard, Hamill took advantage, hitting two solid elbows. Bisping landed a flying knee but Hamill again took him to the mat. Both men were back to their feet after a scramble, and Hamill connected on a solid right. Bisping stuffed another takedown and landed a left hand before the bell. That round could have gone either way. However, theScore gives the round to Hamill, 10-9.

theScore's scorecard: 30-27 Hamill

Did the judges get it right?

Watching this fight years later, I'm surprised at how much closer the matchup was compared to watching it live. There should be no argument Hamill won that first round, especially with the right hand that put Bisping in danger early. The next two rounds were close, but Hamill's ability to land several takedowns should have played a major role with the judge's scorecards. I have a hard time seeing how Bisping won this fight.

With this matchup taking place in Bisping's backyard of London, you wonder if another location would have produced a different result. Interestingly enough, Bisping fought Rashad Evans after at UFC 78 and suffered his own controversial scorecard with "Suga" taking home a split decision. We'll revisit that fight in the future.