Published on various sites: November 2010
Logic dictates that the UFC hype machine will organise an immediate rematch for the man that some (myself included) would suggest was unfortunate to drop a decision to Quinton Jackson at UFC 123. This is open to debate, but what isn’t, is that the contrasting stylistic approach to fighting of both combatants makes for an intriguing – if nothing else – affair.
Some might say that the first head to head resulted in a fight that was, in large parts, boring. This was due to the backpeddling of the karateka; wary of Jackson’s undoubted power. It was, however, also due in part to the insistence of Rampage to ignore his extensive toolbox of fighting skills, and exclusively swing punches like a boxer-brawler. This is not vintage Rampage; the Quinton Jackson that outstruck and finished a prime Chuck Liddell in PrideFC used not only his boxing, but leg kicks, body kicks, knees from the clinch, and slams. At UFC 123, the man formerly known as “Slampage” only attempted to slam his foe after being caught in an armbar late in the bout, with only one means of escape. That apart, he lumbered forwards and threw bombs, leading to a fight that divided opinion in terms of its aesthetic quality.
Regardless, a powerful brawler meeting an elusive counter-striker ALWAYS poses interesting questions. I would like to see this fight.
If the predictable Rampage vs Machida rematch is scrapped, does Machida earn a rematch with Jackson’s recent conqueror Rashad? Evans will surely fight before the UFC title clash with recovering champ Shogun; the allure of an interim title fight could tempt him back into the Octagon with either Rampage or Machida? The karateka should pray to his Gods that this fight could materialise. His style nullified the Greg Jackson wrestle-boxer when he wrested the title from him at UFC 98, and he scored a memorable knockout that led Joe Rogan to erroneously pronounce 2009 and beyond to be “The Machida Era”.
Beyond this, should we at some point be treated to a rubber match with Rua? This is based on the assumption that Shogun remains the champ, and Machida is victorious in his next bout. Still, many would scoff; the line of thought being that Machida was comfortably outpointed in their first fight, and emphatically toppled in the rematch for Shogun’s redemption of sorts. I would say yes; Machida poses enough of a problem for the champ to merit another go around, and while Rua is a dynamic Muay Thai specialist and one of the most talented fighters in the sport, Machida is an effective, unorthodox counter-puncher. A third fight would be a scrap I most certainly would be inclined to tune into.
All this pontificating and speculation could be for nought though. If Machida loses his expected rematch with Jackson, it would leave the mercurial karateka on a three fight skid, and he of course only “won” his most recent victory prior to that via an extremely controversial decision. If so, THEN where?
Machida could be condemned to a lower tier contender cum gatekeeper, if that is the case. A rightful fourth consecutive loss has spelled the end for talented fighters in the UFC, in Pride, in Dream, in any high profile MMA org. It must be galling for Machida to see the man whom he decapitated one and a half short years ago fighting once more for the belt, having lost a very close decision to a man that Rashad had in fact just outpointed himself. Logic dictates that Lyoto is far too capable to be reduced to the lowly status of gatekeeper… but the nature of the business is winning. And it is a business Lyoto Machida needs to return to promptly, if he hopes to remain in the UFC Light Heavyweight title picture and regain his formidable status in the eyes of both fans and fighters alike.
Fletch
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