The 5 Most Dominant Scorecards In UFC History? Breaking Down Topuria Vs. Emmett's Rare 50-42 Decision

The official scorecards from the Ilia Topuria vs. Josh Emmett main event at UFC on ABC 5 (UFC Jacksonville) on June 24, 2023, remain one of the most talked-about decisions in recent memory. The final tallies—50-44, 50-42, and 49-45—were a stark confirmation of Topuria’s absolute dominance, solidifying his status as a legitimate featherweight title contender. The 50-42 card, in particular, is an exceptionally rare sight in a five-round UFC contest, showcasing a near-perfect performance from "El Matador" against a top-ranked, former interim title challenger.

The controversy and fascination surrounding the fight center on the scoring of Round 4, which featured a knockdown and prolonged, brutal ground-and-pound from Topuria. This round was scored a 10-7 by one judge, a near-unprecedented score that is reserved only for the most one-sided and damaging five-minute periods in MMA history. This deep dive breaks down the scorecards, the judges who cast them, and the implications of this historic, lopsided victory.

The Official Topuria vs. Emmett Scorecards and Judges

The bout, which took place at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida, was a five-round featherweight war refereed by Marc Goddard. While Josh Emmett showed incredible heart and durability, the judges’ final scores reflected a comprehensive and devastating striking clinic put on by Ilia Topuria. The three judges for the main event were Sal D'Amato, Chris Lee, and Eric Colon.

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Here is the official breakdown of the final scores, followed by the round-by-round tally that led to the unanimous decision victory for Ilia Topuria:

• Judge Eric Colon: 49-45 (Topuria)
• Judge Sal D'Amato: 50-44 (Topuria)
• Judge Chris Lee: 50-42 (Topuria)

Round-by-Round Breakdown: A Masterclass in Dominance

The final scorecards are a clear indicator of Topuria’s control, but the round-by-round breakdown reveals the true depth of the beating Emmett sustained. The card from Judge Chris Lee, 50-42, is one of the most dominant in the history of the UFC’s five-round main events.

The Rarity of the 10-7 Round: Judge Chris Lee's Historic Score

The most significant and controversial aspect of the official scorecards was Judge Chris Lee’s awarding of a 10-7 score for Ilia Topuria in Round 4.

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A 10-7 round is extremely rare in mixed martial arts and is typically reserved for rounds where a fighter is completely overwhelmed, suffers multiple knockdowns, or is on the verge of being finished for the entire five minutes.

• The Event: In Round 4, Topuria dropped Emmett with a massive right hand, following up with a relentless barrage of strikes and ground-and-pound that left Emmett bloodied and barely surviving the round.
• The Score Discrepancy: While Judge Lee went with the 10-7, both Sal D'Amato and Eric Colon scored the round 10-8. This difference highlights the subjective nature of judging, even in a round as dominant as this one. The fact that the other two judges still awarded a 10-8—a score for a clear, overwhelming advantage—underscores the severity of the damage Topuria inflicted.
• Historical Context: The 10-7 score is so uncommon that it instantly made the Topuria vs. Emmett scorecard a historical footnote in UFC judging. It was a clear signal from Judge Lee that the round was not just dominant, but a near-stoppage, demonstrating a level of superiority rarely seen in the Octagon.

The Judge's Cards Explained: Why the Scores Were So Different

The wide disparity in the final scores (49-45, 50-44, 50-42) is explained by the different judges' interpretations of the 10-9, 10-8, and 10-7 criteria across the five rounds. The unified rules of MMA state that a 10-8 round requires overwhelming dominance, and a 10-7 round is for a round of near-total, fight-ending dominance.

Judge Eric Colon's 49-45: The Closest Card

Colon's 49-45 card was the "closest" of the three. This card suggests that Colon viewed the first round as a narrow win for Josh Emmett (10-9) and only awarded one 10-8 for Topuria (Round 4). This card is often cited by fans who felt Emmett's early pressure and durability deserved more credit, though it still gave Topuria a commanding four-point victory.

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Judge Sal D'Amato's 50-44: The Two 10-8s

D'Amato's 50-44 card indicates that Topuria won every round (50 points) and was dominant enough for two 10-8 scores (losing 4 points, resulting in 44 for Emmett). The consensus is that D'Amato saw Topuria's control and damage in Round 3 and Round 4 as warranting the 10-8 score, acknowledging Topuria's complete control over the majority of the fight.

Judge Chris Lee's 50-42: The Historic Card

The 50-42 card from Chris Lee is a mathematical anomaly, signifying three non-10-9 rounds for Topuria. This was achieved by scoring Round 4 as a 10-7, and two other rounds (likely Round 3 and Round 5) as 10-8s. This card is an extreme outlier and a testament to Lee's belief that Topuria’s performance was one of the most lopsided victories ever seen in a championship-level five-round fight. The 50-42 score means Topuria won by an eight-point margin, a virtually unheard-of result.

Ilia Topuria's Biography and Career Profile

The performance against Emmett was a career-defining moment for Ilia Topuria, vaulting him into the elite of the featherweight division and setting him up for a future title shot. His dominant victory over a perennial contender like Emmett underscored his potential to become the division's next champion.

• Full Name: Ilia Topuria
• Nickname: El Matador
• Nationality: Georgian / Spanish
• Born: January 21, 1997 (Age 28 as of late 2025)
• Fighting Out Of: Alicante, Spain
• Division: Featherweight (145 lbs)
• Current UFC Record (as of late 2025): 7-0 (undefeated in the UFC)
• Total Professional MMA Record: 15-0 (undefeated)
• UFC Debut: October 10, 2020 (vs. Youssef Zalal)
• Notable Wins: Josh Emmett, Bryce Mitchell, Damon Jackson, Alexander Volkanovski (KO win to capture the UFC Featherweight Championship at UFC 298 in February 2024).
• Fighting Style: Elite Boxer, BJJ Black Belt (Submission Grappling)

Following the victory, Topuria immediately called out then-champion Alexander Volkanovski, a challenge he would eventually fulfill, capturing the title with a spectacular knockout at UFC 298. The Emmett fight, with its historic scorecards, was the final, undeniable proof that Topuria was ready for the top of the division.