The game itself remains the problem. Two judges gave it a score of 115 to 113. The third judge gave a puzzling 118 to 110, and few observers could identify with the action in the ring. The whole game was competitive. The momentum shifted. Rounds were traded. Many fans thought Hernandez had the upper hand. Others saw a draw. Few people see a big gap.

The disconnect sparked a backlash. It’s not just about who wins. The official results show how decisively this happened.

Critics interpreted it as confirmation bias in ranking Nakatani so quickly above Hernandez. It felt like the decision was not only accepted but reinforced. Replies from fans across various platforms viewed the update as rubbing salt in the wound. They believe Hernandez performed well enough to win, or at least stay even in the rankings.

Timing is important. Nakatani is ready to challenge Naoya Inoue in May 2026, who remains the champion and centerpiece of the division. Today, that path seems to be hastened by controversy rather than being made clear by performance.

None of this proves that Nakatani can’t compete at an elite level. But it does explain why the ranking change was so bad. Fighting didn’t solve the problem. It creates them. Elevating one side and lowering the other will only intensify scrutiny on judgment, the logic of rankings, and whether the gap between contenders and champions is honestly measured.

For now, the fire is already burning. Rankings just put more fuel into it.