Tag: UFC 123

Manager Ed Soares Comments on Machida-Rampage Scoring Controversy

Filed under: UFC, FanHouse Exclusive, NewsThere were already some who questioned the outcome of the UFC 123 matchup between Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Lyoto Machida in the seconds after the official decision was read in Jackson’s favor. Jackson open…

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There were already some who questioned the outcome of the UFC 123 matchup between Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Lyoto Machida in the seconds after the official decision was read in Jackson’s favor. Jackson opened the door for controversy even further when he admitted Machida “whipped” him in his post-fight comments (which by the way, he later recanted).

Machida seemed to take the decision without much protest, but he and his manager Ed Soares clearly believe that at least two of the judges erred in scoring it a split decision for Jackson.

“Lyoto thinks he won,” Soares said on Monday’s edition of The MMA Hour. “After the fight, he didn’t have any doubt. He was convinced he won the fight. It was a big shocker to him, too.”

Falling Action: Best and Worst from UFC 123

Filed under: UFCIf nothing else, you have to respect “Rampage” Jackson’s honesty at UFC 123. He thought he took something resembling a butt-whoopin’ from Lyoto Machida, at least in the final round, and he had no problem saying so.

That’s refreshing, I…

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If nothing else, you have to respect “Rampage” Jackson’s honesty at UFC 123. He thought he took something resembling a butt-whoopin’ from Lyoto Machida, at least in the final round, and he had no problem saying so.

That’s refreshing, I have to admit. The suggestion that the two should have an immediate rematch? That just makes my head hurt.

The fight was interesting, in a way, though not exactly thrilling. Seeing them do it again wouldn’t help pay-per-view sales or the crowded light heavyweight division, which is probably why UFC president Dana White mercifully intervened with other ideas. It just goes to show that sometimes it’s a good thing to have an opinionated guy at the top with veto power and the will to use it. Sometimes.

Now on to the winners, losers, and everything else in between after UFC 123.

Irresponsible Speculation Alert: What’s Wrong with Lyoto Machida?

(In a world without fences, Lyoto Machida could just back up and circle out of any situation. PicProps: ESPN.)
As noted in this morning’s Armchair Matchmaker, the last time we saw Lyoto Machida really look like Lyoto Machida was May, 2009, when h…


(In a world without fences, Lyoto Machida could just back up and circle out of any situation. PicProps: ESPN.)

As noted in this morning’s Armchair Matchmaker, the last time we saw Lyoto Machida really look like Lyoto Machida was May, 2009, when he delighted GIF creators worldwide by making Rashad Evans go all googly-eyed while winning the light heavyweight title by second-round knockout at UFC 98. Though we joke about it, it’s worth pointing out that at the time Machida’s defeat of Evans capped a run of seven wins in the Octagon all dominant enough to prompt the UFC broadcast team to prematurely ejaculate all over the beginning of “The Machida Era.” Can’t really blame them. Dude did look poised for a nice, long run with the gold. Naturally, cue obligatory disappointment in 3 … 2 … 1 …

Since then (as you know) Machida has looked increasingly mortal in three consecutive appearances – a gift decision over Shogun Rua at UFC 104, the karmically-justified follow-up KO by Rua at UFC 113 and Saturday night’s split decision loss to Rampage Jackson at UFC 123, in a fight admittedly difficult to score because of its general shittiness. After watching Machida seemingly dry up and turn into a brittle, hollow husk of his former self during the last 18 months, is it wrong/unjustified to wonder aloud what the fuck is going on here? Was this guy just overrated from the start? Is he simply on a cold streak? Is something wrong with him? Obviously, it would be reckless and irresponsible for us to speculate … then again, reckless and irresponsible speculation is basically what we do. In light of that, here’s a few ideas (read: wild guesses) about what could be ailing the former light heavyweight champion … 
 

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Armchair Matchmaker: UFC 123 Edition

(Seriously, who let that mouse into the Octagon? Props: UFC.com)
Here’s what we know: BJ Penn and George Sotiropoulos already have dates at UFC 127 in Australia. Karo Parisyan has been fired (again), and Matt Brown will surely be let go as well …

Bruce Buffer UFC 123 jump
(Seriously, who let that mouse into the Octagon? Props: UFC.com)

Here’s what we know: BJ Penn and George Sotiropoulos already have dates at UFC 127 in Australia. Karo Parisyan has been fired (again), and Matt Brown will surely be let go as well after suffering his third-consecutive submission loss. (Tyson Griffin also lost his third-straight on Saturday, but will remain in the promotion, as the judges’ decision in his fight against Nik Lentz was utter horseshit.) So where do UFC 123‘s other winners and losers go from here? As usual, we have a few suggestions…

Quinton Jackson: This one’s fairly obvious, assuming that nobody really wants to see an immediate rematch between Jackson and Machida. Rampage should get the winner of Jon Jones vs. Ryan Bader at UFC 126. The winner of that fight gets a title shot. Bada-bing, bada-boom.

Lyoto Machida: Once an unstoppable force in the light-heavyweight division, it’s now been a year and a half since the Dragon has put on a dominant performance against anybody. At this point, the UFC needs to re-build Machida against a mid-level contender. Give him Matt Hamill, who deserves a step up after handling Keith Jardine and Tito Ortiz. Alternately, you could throw Machida in against Randy Couture, and see if the Natural’s gift for game-planning can carry him through against the Dragon. Of course, that matchup might not be pointless enough for Randy, so don’t get your hopes up.

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B.J. Penn KOs Matt Hughes at UFC 123

Filed under: UFC, NewsIn the third fight between two of the sport’s all-time greats, B.J. Penn knocked out Matt Hughes with a quick, brutal display of precision striking at UFC 123.

The whole fight lasted just 21 seconds, and delivered Penn one of the…

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In the third fight between two of the sport’s all-time greats, B.J. Penn knocked out Matt Hughes with a quick, brutal display of precision striking at UFC 123.

The whole fight lasted just 21 seconds, and delivered Penn one of the most spectacular wins of his MMA career. Penn had lost two straight lightweight title fights this year and seemed to be on the downside of his career, but he bounced back in a big way by beating Hughes.

Penn got things started with a 1-2 combination, and when Hughes threw a kick, Penn caught it and nailed Hughes again. They briefly stepped back, and then Penn nailed Hughes with an overhand right, knocking Hughes flat on his back. Penn landed four more punches on the ground and Hughes wasn’t defending himself, and the referee stepped in and stopped the fight.

UFC 123 Live Blog: Rampage Jackson vs. Lyoto Machida Updates

Filed under: UFCAUBURN HILLS, Mich. — This is the UFC 123 live blog for “Rampage” Jackson vs. Lyoto Machida, the main event of tonight’s pay-per-view at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Jackson vs. Machida is a headliner featuring two former champions com…

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AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — This is the UFC 123 live blog for “Rampage” Jackson vs. Lyoto Machida, the main event of tonight’s pay-per-view at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Jackson vs. Machida is a headliner featuring two former champions coming off a loss. Jackson (30-8) lost Rashad Evans at UFC 114 in May. Machida (16-1) was knocked out the same month at UFC 113 by Mauricio “Shogun” Rua.

The live blog is below.