UFC 123: Rampage vs Machida

[Cammo101]

Seconded. Looking at the fighter stats, it was clear as day that Machida should have won. (although it was close)

While I scored the fight 29-28 for Machida and I somewhat agree, effective agressiveness and octagon control are 2 of the judging criteria. Machia never controls the octagon and is never agressive. Because of this, he can and should expect to lose pretty much any close fight IMO.

[SDM]

Seconded. Looking at the fighter stats, it was clear as day that Machida should have won. (although it was close)

While I scored the fight 29-28 for Machida and I somewhat agree, effective agressiveness and octagon control are 2 of the judging criteria. Machia never controls the octagon and is never agressive. Because of this, he can and should expect to lose pretty much any close fight IMO.

Yeah, it's more of a gripe about octagon control and aggressiveness being considered too highly, much like the takedown is. To me, if a guy gets a takedown and the other guy gets up before the end of the round, it cancels out. Octagon control/aggressiveness is canceled out if a counter-striker is landing blows and few are better at that than Machida, but he's penalized for his fighting style. Personally, I need to see a fighter land more strikes or have effective takedowns that plant his opponent on the ground for a lengthy period of time (say, half the round), while working for a stoppage of some kind or attempt subs from whatever position to score a round 10-9. I would give out 10-10s like they were candy.

Nonetheless, you're absolutely right about Machida. He needs to show more aggressiveness, at least to placate the judges until they overhaul the scoring system.

I don't know. What would you guys fix about the scoring system, if anything?

[Cammo101]

Seconded. Looking at the fighter stats, it was clear as day that Machida should have won. (although it was close)

While I scored the fight 29-28 for Machida and I somewhat agree, effective agressiveness and octagon control are 2 of the judging criteria. Machia never controls the octagon and is never agressive. Because of this, he can and should expect to lose pretty much any close fight IMO.

Yeah, it's more of a gripe about octagon control and aggressiveness being considered too highly, much like the takedown is. To me, if a guy gets a takedown and the other guy gets up before the end of the round, it cancels out. Octagon control/aggressiveness is canceled out if a counter-striker is landing blows and few are better at that than Machida, but he's penalized for his fighting style. Personally, I need to see a fighter land more strikes or have effective takedowns that plant his opponent on the ground for a lengthy period of time (say, half the round), while working for a stoppage of some kind or attempt subs from whatever position to score a round 10-9. I would give out 10-10s like they were candy.

Nonetheless, you're absolutely right about Machida. He needs to show more aggressiveness, at least to placate the judges until they overhaul the scoring system.

I don't know. What would you guys fix about the scoring system, if anything?

The problem was Machida, while outstriking Rampage, landed few big strikes. So it did not really seem like he outstruck him very badly. And since he spent the whole fight moving backwards...

I have no real problem with the way fights are actually scored. My problem is that judges are not MMA literate enough. Better training for judges is a must. These are just boxing judges pretending to know MMA half the time.

[Hilltop]

Seconded. Looking at the fighter stats, it was clear as day that Machida should have won. (although it was close)

While I scored the fight 29-28 for Machida and I somewhat agree, effective agressiveness and octagon control are 2 of the judging criteria. Machia never controls the octagon and is never agressive. Because of this, he can and should expect to lose pretty much any close fight IMO.

Except for the one against Shogun wherein he retained his title. And that wasn't even that close in my eyes (in Rua's favor).