Max Griffin takes issue with judge Sal D'Amato's scoring: 'He picks against me every single time'

LAS VEGAS –  Max Griffin vented his frustration toward judge Sal D’Amato for scoring his most recent fight – a win – against him.

Griffin (20-10 MMA, 8-8 UFC) defeated Jeremiah Wells (12-4-1 MMA, 4-2 UFC) by split decision Saturday at UFC Fight Night 236 at the UFC Apex. Two of the judges scored the fight 29-28 for Griffin; D’Amato scored it 29-28 for Wells.

Griffin was adamant D’Amato has something against him. D’Amato was one of two judges who awarded Neil Magny the split decision win over Griffin at UFC on ESPN 33 in March 2022.

“I cannot stand Sal D’Amato,” Griffin told MMA Junkie and other reporters post-fight at UFC Fight Night 236. “He has me on Neil Magny losing, he has me on numerous fights. … He picks against me every single time. I don’t know if I did something in a past life to him, if I did something to him, but Sal D’Amato hates me.”

Most media members tracked by MMA Decisions had Wells winning the fight Saturday, but Griffin was adamant he had done enough to get his hand raised. He has split his past four appearances.

According to MMA Decisions, D’Amato has scored four Griffin fights in recent years. He scored against him in the Wells fight Griffin won Saturday and against him in the Magny fight he lost. But D’Amato was the only judge to score a Griffin split decision loss to Alex Oliveira in Griffin’s favor in 2020 and also concurred with two other judges in a Griffin unanimous decision win over Carlos Condit.

“We won,” Griffin said. “We totally won. Ask (D’Amato) – he knows I won. It’s every time.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 236.