FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Even then, he should've only lost the 5th round. It wasn't even close enough to call it a draw.... how Machida won is beyond imagination. This isn't the case of him Golden Boy'ing it in the last round of a close fight.... he completely neutralized what was perceived to be a dominant style, and controlled the match entirely.

I was fairly surprised by the decision, but was all-out impressed by Shogun's reaction: disappointment, but no trash. He was classy all the way through, and now to take some of the blame on himself, shows how classy he really is. Rua may have lost the decision, but he sure won himself some fans.

In the end though, you gotta say that he shouldn't have shut it down in the 5th. They always say you should fight it out right till the last bell for a reason. You often hear Joe Rogan or Goldberg give respect to fighters who are winning and still fighting right till the end. Everyone should fight that way, and I doubt we'll see another Shogun fight where he doesn't.

BS.... He got cheated, it happens in alot of sports from time to time... Hopefully he gets a fast rematch and gets his belt

Don't get that one...judges must have been resting their eyes during all the non-action and attempts to hold hands most of the match....guess i can't blame them for missing all the one sided Rau leg action...but what kicks u in the ass is the commentator askin Machida: '... ughh, did u think u won this fight?'

To beat the champ you have to clearly dominate the fight and not just kick him around, great call by the judges although it could of went both ways.

wow that was bad, if i were machida i'd be asking joe silva for a rematch asap. if he won't give me one give rua the belt, he clearly dominated the entire fight. as a big machida fan, he didn't deserve that win

Fight was close. I can't wait for the rematch.

I don't know if Lyoto won, but Shogun didn't win either. I pretty much gave it a draw.

I thought Rua won the fight, but I don't think he dominated as many people seem to think. Rual was bringing the fight to Machida and did seem to be landing more strikes. I was surprised by the decision, as I thought Rua had won 3 rounds to 2.

If you let the judges into the mix, anything can happen. When your fighting the champ, you need to beat him without making it close. I am looking forward to a rematch of this fight. Lotta respect for Rua saying what he should be saying, as opposed to whining about a decision.

I think the decision could have gone either way really. I think if you watch the fight on mute, you don't get influenced by Rogan and Goldberg, who clearly favored Rua, and you get a better perspective. Round 1 was particularly tough to score.

I love Machida as a fighter and he is a great man and is a humble champion. However, in this fight he lost, CLEARLY lost (to everyone but the judges 3 rounds to 2), and it is completely unfair for the man that found out the way to beat him, and successfully did so, to not win the belt for beating the champion, fair and square.

Well, the rematch of these two is going to be even more popular than the first so Dana is going to be ecstatic when he sees just how much this controversy creates a buzz that will line his (and Zuffa's) pockets. Makes you wonder.... it was a REALLY, REALLY poor judging - enough for Shogun to take to the California state sports commision and file a legitimate complaint (he wont though, I think the next time we will see him try to knock Machida out).

QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 09:21 AM ET  10.26 by BuffaloTF

Even then, he should've only lost the 5th round. It wasn't even close enough to call it a draw.... how Machida won is beyond imagination. This isn't the case of him Golden Boy'ing it in the last round of a close fight.... he completely neutralized what was perceived to be a dominant style, and controlled the match entirely.

He controlled it so effectively that neither fighter ever held an advantage in that fight. Rua 2 to 3 takedown attempts were stuffed and Rua spent most of the fight trying to make Machida be the aggressor. He led with leg kicks and hoped to capitalize on countering Machida's counter. PissPoorPlanning. Never rest on your lorals because you THINK you are ahead. Thats what makes boxing get so damn boring.

QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 10:43 AM ET  10.26 by RobertMenn: You stole my rake

Fight was close. I can't wait for the rematch.I don't know if Lyoto won, but Shogun didn't win either. I pretty much gave it a draw.

Rob it seems you and I are about the only regulars on here that share that opinion. I don't know where people are getting that Rua dominated in that poor excuses for a fight. both kept waiting to counter and it was a sham of a fight.

QUOTE(#11):

Originally posted 01:19 PM ET  10.26 by HWinMMA

I love Machida as a fighter and he is a great man and is a humble champion. However, in this fight he lost, CLEARLY lost (to everyone but the judges 3 rounds to 2), and it is completely unfair for the man that found out the way to beat him, and successfully did so, to not win the belt for beating the champion, fair and square. Well, the rematch of these two is going to be even more popular than the first so Dana is going to be ecstatic when he sees just how much this controversy creates a buzz that will line his (and Zuffa's) pockets. Makes you wonder.... it was a REALLY, REALLY poor judging - enough for Shogun to take to the California state sports commision and file a legitimate complaint (he wont though, I think the next time we will see him try to knock Machida out).

And hopefully vise versa on the actually fighting part, i.e. Machida needs to show up too.

This fight was closer than most people argue. Neither fighter dominated the other. It was a stalemate as far as octagon skill is concerned. Fight could have gone either way. But in a close championship fight like this, historically the champion almost always gets the nod.

Shogun no doubt has raised his stock among the UFC fanbase though with a solid performance. And just as quickly as bandwagoners hopped on the Machida train, they hot potato outta there after 104 because he didnt finish a fight. It was an ugly win for Lyoto and Im sure he wants to put a better performance the next time out. For those who say he should outright hand the belt to Rua, thats just being unrealistic. He didnt score those cards.

QUOTE(#12):

Originally posted 01:26 PM ET  10.26 by kryptonian GSP is King

He controlled it so effectively that neither fighter ever held an advantage in that fight. Rua 2 to 3 takedown attempts were stuffed and Rua spent most of the fight trying to make Machida be the aggressor. He led with leg kicks and hoped to capitalize on countering Machida's counter. PissPoorPlanning. Never rest on your lorals because you THINK you are ahead. Thats what makes boxing get so damn boring.

Your right about that boxing is boring but I am waiting for next month when Cotto shuts every body up!

QUOTE(#16):

Originally posted 02:13 PM ET  10.26 by uno2343749

Your right about that boxing is boring but I am waiting for next month when Cotto shuts every body up!

Your patience in waiting for Manny Pacquaio's next defeat is admirable at best. You've been quite vocal about your disdain for Pac taking potshots on every opportunity. Not really sure why. The little guy lays it out on the line on EVERY fight and takes on all comers. Something most boxers of today just doesnt do anymore. This is the reason why MMA is more popular than boxing nowadays. MMA fighters bring it all the time.

Back to the topic though, there should be nothing controversial on a close fight. That said it could have gone either way. Rematch is on the horizon. All questions should finally be answered then.

You take a champions title by knocking him out not on a decision.

QUOTE(#16):

Originally posted 02:13 PM ET  10.26 by uno2343749

Your right about that boxing is boring but I am waiting for next month when Cotto shuts every body up!

That's funny because I hate Cotto especially after he ran from Mosley and still called himself and aggresive fighter. Then he put on a very unimpressive performance with Joshua. I am not a huge fan of either. If Cotto wins people will say that he is bigger and should win, if Pac wins he will further seed himself as best P4P. Problem is, Cotto has had some difficulty making the cut his last severl fights (2) and he agreed to meet Pac at a catch weight which means more of a cut for him. He may look even slower, more drawn out, and be a sitting target.

QUOTE(#18):

Originally posted 02:52 PM ET  10.26 by scrubber

You take a champions title by knocking him out not on a decision.

Or by CLEARLY winning. i.e. Own the champ like he was a sparring partner. Prime example, when Serra was the champ GSP came back and owned him! Or bad example since that didn't go the distance because of the owning. The Forrest Griffin vs Rampage fight. People complained then because they said Forrest didn't do enough to take the belt.