You don’t often see the winner of a fight call for an immediate rematch. But that's what happened Saturday, after Quinton (Rampage) Jackson was announced the victor by split decision over Lyoto (The Dragon) Machida, in the main event of UFC 123.
However, UFC president Dana White, after saying he agreed with two of the judges in scoring the fight 29-28 in Jackson’s favour -- which incidentally is how I scored it -- put the kibosh on that notion, saying the two won’t be facing each other again (at least not right away). And I’m glad.
I’m not a huge fan of rematches.
Just because a fight is close (or even controversial) doesn’t mean you need to have an instant redo, to see what "really" should have happened.
I’m all for it in the case of a truly controversial and important decision (such as a title fight). For example, Machida-Shogun and Penn-Edgar needed to be re-fought, but Rampage-Machida? That wasn’t controversial, but rather a case of a problem with the current MMA scoring system.
I gave the fight to Rampage because I scored the first two rounds in his favour. They were really close, but the star of the "A-Team" was more aggressive, landed more strikes overall and had the most significant moment in each (a stunning straight left in one, a takedown in the other). Machida easily won the third round, but Jackson did some damage as well, so the margin was not enough for a 10-8. Thus, by simple math, Machida comes up short, 29-28.
However, looking at the fight as a whole, I would say Machida "won" the fight. Unfortunately, we’re hamstrung by the scoring system used under the Unified Rules of MMA.
There have been frequent suggestions of alterations to the system.
For example, using half-points or perhaps a system similar to Pride, where you score the fight as a whole. That would also force fighters who believe they’re up two rounds already, to continue to fight until the end (are you listening, Maiquel Falcao?)
But given the way the fights are currently scored, there was no robbery here in the last fight of the night (as there was for Tyson Griffin in the first one, where many, including one judge, scored it 30-27 for him). No, in this headliner, Rampage legitimately won.
Furthermore, what would a rematch prove?
With Saturday’s result, Rampage has moved up the ladder, slightly, while Machida has moved down, but only slightly, and both former champions are still right there in contention for the belt. Fighting each other again, would only stall both of them on their path back to No. 1 contender status.
Let’s stop calling for immediate rematches just because we don’t agree with the judges’ call. Judging and scoring in MMA are both definitely problems and must be addressed.
But simply slapping a "II" on a fight won’t rectify it and I’d rather see brand new matchups than recycled ones.
PENN-ING A LEGACY: Speaking of rematches, I wasn’t terribly excited about Penn vs. Hughes III going into the fight (and I certainly wouldn’t have called it the "biggest rivalry in UFC history.") But could there have been more of an electrifying finish than B.J.’s 21-second destruction of an unsuspecting Matt Hughes?
I picked Penn to win because I thought he’d have the speed edge, but that’s not quite what I had in mind.
Next, Penn will face Jon Fitch in Sydney. I think this is a good fight. They’re two of the world’s top pound-for-pounders, but each has run into a block at the top in their respective divisions.
Fitch beats everyone put in front of him, save for welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre, while Penn’s only trouble in the past three years has been lightweight title-holder Frankie Edgar (and of course the one GSP fight).
This fight will give us a good sense of the direction for both fighters. If Penn wins, it means a run at the 170 title would be appropriate, while if he loses it may mean he should head back to 155. And whether Fitch wins or loses should determine if he’s ready for another shot at the 170-pound belt.
One thing is for sure. While Fitch is awesome, having won 21 of his last 22, if Penn comes at him like he did against Hughes, it should be quite the challenge.
GOOD SPORTS: I have been vocal in the past of my dislike for Rampage and his behaviour, but I was impressed with him Saturday. Despite what Dana said about him feigning disbelief about getting the decision, I believe he was truly surprised, especially after the admitted beatdown he took in the third. And he was completely respectful in his post-fight actions and comments.
Same for Penn, who paused from his spontaneous celebration to rush over and help a knocked-out Hughes off the mat. (He might have gone a little overboard with his "I love you man," comments, though.)
