Lyoto Machida visualizes a rematch with Phil Davis in his immediate future.
After a disappointing and baffling unanimous decision loss at UFC 163 in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, that many felt should have gone his way, “The Dragon” seeks resolution, and his sights are set on Davis.
Said Machida in a post-fight interview with Ariel Helwani (via MMAfighting.com):
I don’t agree with this result…If the UFC can, I would like a rematch with Phil Davis, because I want to prove that I can beat him.
A victim of his own cautious, choosy style in this instance, Machida has come alive after his recent misfortune, clearly vocalizing his displeasure with the result of the fight and with the current scoring system in the sport.
I am very unhappy with MMA rules…I think they (the UFC) don’t prepare you enough for (how the judges) judge the fight. I don’t know what I have to do. Maybe I have to beat everybody to get a chance.
For somebody who has both won and lost close decisions prior to his UFC 163 tilt, one would think Machida would make an effort to finish fights to avoid a situation exactly like the one he finds himself in now. However, such a choice would compromise his fighting style, and a record of 19-4 is certainly tough to argue.
With the majority of the light heavyweight division’s top-10 fighters tied up at the moment, a rematch with Davis seems very reasonable. Making this case stronger, neither fighter was finished or badly injured during the bout, so the sequel could be arranged while the controversy is fresh in our minds.
Personally, I hope the UFC delivers us Davis vs. Machida II. At the end of Round 3 at UFC 163, I silently wished for two more rounds, so hopefully the world’s premier MMA organization can muster something even better: a rematch.
What do you think? Are you interested in a rematch, or does Machida need to shoulder the blame for his conservative fighting style and move on?
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