Orion Cosce Aims to Finish Mike Mathetha at UFC 277 Because MMA Judges ‘Suck’

Ultimate Fighting Championship President Dana White frequently warns his fighters never to leave things in the hands of the judges, a lesson it seems Orion Cosce has taken to heart.

Cosce (7-1, 0-1 UFC) has been entrusted to open the upcoming UFC 277 as he takes on Mike Mathetha in a welterweight affair. The Dana White's Contender Series graduate feels the urge to prove himself in front of the UFC audience after losing to Philip Rowe in his promotional debut at UFC on ESPN 28. On that occasion, “Galaxy” was stopped with punches in the second frame after arguably dominating his foe in the first stanza. In victory or defeat, Cosce has never gone the distance in his career, but he believes that judges aren’t the most reliable way to take home a win, and the fact that he possesses a certain killer instinct has helped his cause so far.

“I'll go out there and try to get to finish in the first round. I mean, it can be first, second or third, but I'm gonna try to get [the] finish. I don't like judges, they f***ing suck. I'll say that every time in every interview. I want the judges to know whoever is that's gonna be judging our fights, they’re f***ing s***ty. And I know it's not the UFC’s fault. It's the athletic commissions for the states’ fault. What they need to do is work on getting better judges [and] implement a system.”

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro
(00:31) Celebrating his birthday
(01:38) What happened to the previously scheduled matchups with Mathetha
(03:04) Dealing with COVID-19
(04:35) Preparing for Mathetha
(06:09) His cornermen
(06:17) Losing to Rowe
(08:03) Whether he’s pursuing a rematch with Rowe
(09:50) Whether he believes there is a rivalry with Mathetha
(11:28) Picking Julianna Pena vs. Amanda Nunes
(12:05) Picking Brandon Moreno vs. Kai Kara France
(12:28) Aiming to finish his opponent because the judges “suck”
(12:58) Walking out to “Revan’s Revenge” by Grey Bush
(13:30) Outro