UFC 123 Rampage vs. Machida

UFC 123 Quinton Rampage Jackson vs. Lyoto Machinda November 20th, 2010 from Detroit Michigan


Well this wasn't exactly the night I was hoping for. Paul Kelly and Mark Munoz did pull off the Win, just like I wanted. Munoz by decision and Kelly by TKO via elbows. The other fights made for a great night of fights, just not all the outcomes I wanted. 


Tonight it was also announced that there will now be a featherweight division in the UFC. The first belt has gone to Jose Aldo. They showed clips of this guy and he looks insane. Some of the video looked like someone hit fast forward. He is so quick and powerful winning most of his fights by TKO or KO. He has a professional record of 18-1, his only loss coming in late 2005. He has defeated current TUF top contestant Jonathan Brookins and also pulled off a unanimous victory over Urijah Faber. I don't know how they chose Aldo but I'm assuming it was because of this win. Faber is a pretty huge name in the WEC, where Aldo is coming from. He kinda looks like Carey Hart and is on pretty much every single commercial they advertise. But back to Aldo, he will have to defend his belt in the UFC at UFC 125 on New Years Day on the same card that Frankie Edgar will be defending his lightweight belt. This is going to bring a whole new division of fighters I'm pretty excited to see get started. 


Phil Davis vs. Tim Boetsch - light heavyweight
I didn't make any predictions about this fight because I've only seen Phil Davis fight once and I was way too distracted by the 3 publicized fights but this win is definitely worth noting. The first round Davis was absolutely dominating, Boetsch started to look like a rag doll. The second round started off the same way. Davis ended up getting Boetsch on the mat and got the weirdest submission. He has side control and maneuvers Boetsch's left arm in a kimura behind him. He was holding onto it with one hand and was able to flip Boetsch's legs over to tighten the hold and did finish holding the submission with two hands but it was so crazy to watch. From the angle that I could see it really looked like Davis had the kimura with one hand. Joe Rogan pointed out that he did have a two hand hold when Boetsch tapped so I'm not sure its the night "The Mr. Wonderful" submission was created. (His UFC name is Phil Mr. Wonderful Davis).


Gerald Harris vs. Maiquel Falcao - middleweight
This fight I have to at least mention because it introduced another fighter I will not be cheering for any time soon. Falcao was making his UFC debut and in the first round he was able to get Harris in a pretty strong choke in the last few 10-20 seconds of the round. After the bell rang he kept holding the choke and the ref had to push him off of Harris. Harris did not tap so the fight was definitely not over and the ref actually made a point of telling Harris that. I don't think I've ever seen that before, a ref saying, its not over yet buddy, get up. I understand that its crazy loud in those arenas so maybe Falcao didn't hear the bell but when the ref literally has to push you off someone, that doesn't sit well with me. Falcao, ended up winning the unanimous decision but he did not gain a fan in me.


Edson Barboza vs. Mike Lullo - lightweight
Wow wow wow! I picked Barboza simply because his name is Barboza and I love the pirate movies. I had no idea this was the fighter I was going to see. His right leg is so dangerous. He must have kicked Lullo 20-30 times. Leg kicks to Lullo's left thigh you could see how red it was getting when his shorts would lift up a bit. Towards the middle of the second round you could easily see it was wearing on him. He started to limp and favour his left leg a lot and took a long time to get up after each kick knocked him down. At the end of the round he could barely limp to his corner, and it was the wrong corner at that. He was having trouble even standing. The third round started and Barboza kept attacking that leg, each kick he landed Lullo was knocked to the ground and was having the hardest time getting up. Even Joe Rogan was saying, call the fight, end it. One more time and the ref finally ended the punishment and called a TKO win. I don't know if I have seen a TKO vis leg kicks in a really long time, that was very impressive. Of course the entire fight wasn't like this, the first round saw the two on the mat and Lullo definitely had the ground game advantage. Barboza was smart enough to change his game plan at that point and keep the fight standing. Every time he knocked Lullo down he didn't attack, he let him stand up so he could throw some more of those ridiculous leg kicks. Obviously a fighter can't have only one tool in his belt to be a champ but with a little work on his ground game I can definitely see this kid going far. 


Joe Lauzon vs. George Sotiropoulos - lightweight
In the end it would be about who could push harder for longer and that's exactly what it came down to. Lauzontakedown defense, not giving anything up to Sotiropoulos. In the second round though he completely gassed out and was a totally different fighter. He was able to get our of an armbar submission attempt like he did in the first round but Sotiropoulos kept pushing and ended up getting the kimura win just after the halfway point of the second round. It did earn the guys the fight of the night bonus so thats a nice little $80 000 paycheck for both of them. Lauzon continues his record of bonus fights, even with the loss while Dana says he has his eye on a Sotiropoulos vs. Dennis Siver match-up at the UFC to be held in Sydney, Australia.


Matt Hughes vs. BJ Penn - welterweight
The old BJ is officially back. In his recent fights it seems like he just doesn't care, he's going into the cage for a paycheck and that's it. This time he was fired up, he looked fit and awake and was talking to himself in the cage getting pumped up while Hughes was entering. Sadly, old BJ is not good news for Hughes. Once the bell rings both fighter went into offensive mode. Both guys are throwing punches and BJ connects with a HUGE right. He knocks Hughes out cold 21 seconds into the first round. BJ helps Hughes us and in his interview with Joe Rogan after the fight he mentions how Hughes is an idol of his. This fight meant a lot to BJ, it was not only the end to the three fight series with Hughes, it was showing everyone that he still loves to fight, he is still motivated. When Hughes was standing up he looked to his corner and asked what happened? He explained that he had no idea what he was hit with, it was so hard he thought it was a kick or a knee. BJ said in the post fight press conference that the acupuncture he'd been helped him out a lot. He wants to keep it private what exactly it did to help him but now I'm curious. I can only assume it was a mental advantage because the fight was only 21 seconds and he said it himself he wasn't trying to set up the big punch, he was just going in to fight. He's always had knockout power, he is just using it again now. As far as BJs future, he wants to get back to fighting right away. Whether it be at 155 or 165 he is going to leave that decision up to Dana. But he plans to fight until he is about 35 (4 more years) and then maybe call it quits. Hughes' future is not so clear. He's 37 years old and has had over 50 fights. I feel like if he had won this fight it would have been a good time to retire after a big win at the end of a win streak. Dana only said that he and Hughes would have to sit down together and talk about it. I really hope he keeps fighting, he's still an amazing fighter and I love seeing him win. 


Rampage Jackson vs. Lyoto Machida - light heavyweight
This fight was such a snooze. This is exactly why I thought Machida was a boring champ. His first round is always the same. He doesn't attack much, more so just feels out the spacing and what his opponent will do. But this time the first two rounds were that way. Rampage was definitely the aggressor. Of course with Machida's famous elusive technique, by the time Rampage threw a punch in one direction, Machida was on the other side of the cage. He did manage to land a few hits though and so did Machida, but only once Rampage started the exchange. Rampage was definitely going for the knockout but obviously didn't get it. He tried to slam Machida but wasn't able to. Rampage's corner told him to add 2-3 punches at the end of his combinations, he also needs to start throwing kicks and knees. The third round was a little more exciting. Machida started a couple exchanges and even rocked Rampage with just over 3 minutes left. Although when they got back up Rampage threw 4 or 5 really quick punches getting right back on the offensive. Machida ended the round on top and the decision went to the judges. Rampage won by split decision. The look on his face when it was announced was one of genuine chock, he has been lifting Machida's arm like he had won the fight. In his interview with Joe Rogan Rampage said Machida just whopped his a** and he would be happy to give him the rematch. When Machida was interviewed he also mentioned the rematch. Saying look, even Rampage says I deserve the rematch. Dana was certainly not impressed with this reaction. The way he say the fight Rampage clearly won the first two rounds. Its a three round fight, you do the math. 


Rampage did acknowledge this in the post fight press conference. As soon as someone asked him about the comment, he said look, I just got done getting punched in the face, don't pay me no mind. Which is absolutely true, Machida finished the round on top. The last 3 minutes of the 3rd round were completely one sided. Its hard to remember the first two rounds clearly after that. Rampage is always entertaining at the press conferences. He was asked what endears you to the fans. He had no idea what he was being asked! Honestly I thought it was a pretty silly way to ask the question, he could have just asked why do you think you are popular and have such a large fan following but either way, I thought it was funny he didn't know what it meant. Rampage knows, no fans, no sport, so he simply always tries to put on a show and is just himself.


There will NOT be an immediate Rampage Machida rematch. Thank goodness. I really get tired of the instant rematch. Sometimes I understand, with Machida's first fight against Rua where he won the decision that was a very weird call from the judges and the result wasn't fair in anyone's eyes. The rematch happened and Rua got the win, no question. BJ Penn's rematch against Edgar, I feel, only happened becaues it wasn't the result people expected or wanted. Edgar easily won their first fight and I don't think he should have had to prove himself again against BJ before moving on to defend his new title against someone else. Some judges decisions call for a rematch, especially when a title is on the line, but like Dana always alllllways says, don't leave it up to the judges.  Then there would be no question.


One thing to finish, Dana is expecting 30 fights next year!! This is getting crazy, more than 2 a month, holy smokes thats a lot of beat downs. 


AND, one questions was asked of Dana, one guy who gets put on the main card and totally does not take advantage of that spot, seems like he doesn't even show up for the fight (Harris) and you have another guy who was given only 5-6 weeks notice to come on for a prelim fight take full advantage and put on an amazing show (Brian Foster), how does seeing that affect his decision as to who gets the prime time TV spot in future fights. Dana openly says this will play a lot into his decision, he would easily keep a guy who lost a dog fight over a guy who dances around for three rounds and wins. Hmm does this make anyone else think of Silva? Yes I am bringing him up again, people have said he's champ he doesn't need to prove himself. Which is true, but he does need to do what he's paid to do, which is fight, not dance, just sayin.