Bad judging cost Shogun Rua a title win vs. Lyoto Machida, and it's time something was done about it.
The aftermath from the controversial decision in the main event at UFC 104 continues to raise questions surrounding the judging that robbed Mauricio (Shogun) Rua from a well deserved title win over Lyoto (The Dragon) Machida.
Public records will forever show that Rua lost the fight, but the reality is simple -- he won a minimum of three rounds, and according to yours truly, I believe he won four rounds.
The fact the policies currently in place cannot change a decision from a loss to a victory, or at least a "no contest," is completely absurd.
Judges are human, they make mistakes, so why fighters who have been robbed of a decision have to suffer from an idiotic technicality that prevents their record from showing the truth is quite simply a travesty. All members of the Association of Boxing Commissions should throw away this archaic belief and do the right thing. Review all decisions that are controversial, and award the right fighter the victory.
As I sat Octagon-side with my producer and fellow media peers, I jotted down what each fighter was doing both offensively and defensively. In essence, I was breaking down the fight, moment by moment, to determine in my opinion who won each round.
Based on my notes, and the overall feeling from being at arms length from each corner, it was completely evident that the tide of the fight quickly changed from the opening bell.
Shogun continued to pick up momentum, round by round, until in the end, it was completely obvious -- he won the fight, fair and square, and should have been awarded the UFC's light-heavyweight championship.
According to my notes...
Machida wins round one, as he started with some excellent knees, defends two Shogun takedown attempts, is hit with Rua kick to the body, but closes the round off with a left cross / kick trip attempt.
In round two, Shogun begins to take over. Both fighters trade leg kicks, Machida lands a knee off a Rua takedown attempt but Shogun lands another crisp kick to the body. The action continues with Machida landing a left kick, but then Shogun makes him pay with a right kick, getting the clinch and wins the round, even though both fighters trade knees in the final seconds against the cage.
I also gave round three to Shogun. Machida does land a punch and kick early on, but Rua peppers the champ with multiple muay thai cut kicks and even winning an action packed exchange.
Round four was definitely Shogun's, as he hurts Machida with knees, more kicks and a brutal left elbow. (Note: at the post-fight press conference, Machida basically admits he was cruising in this round to save energy for the fifth round, yet, one judge inexplicably scores the round for Machida.)
The final round sees my short hand penmanship with the words "Shogun lands kick" appear multiple times. Add in a left punch and left elbow, and it was painfully obvious that Shogun won that round, and also the right to have his arms raised in victory.
The old adage that states "the challenger must take the belt away from the champion" is one that drives me insane. Facts are facts -- according to FightMetric.com, Shogun won the fight, and this is the gold standard in scoring MMA bouts.
Taking a belt away from a champion is simply a poor way of looking at an overall fight. Score the fight the way it should be scored -- based on who wins each exchange, as well as who did what to try and finish the fight.
Shogun did just that and today should have the light-heavyweight strap around his waist. Machida is still a stud in my book, but his fellow countryman defeated him at UFC 104.
As for what the UFC, the boxing commissions and everyone in between needs to do about the current state of judging (and officiating) in MMA? Don't get me started!