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Why not rematch this guy for interim belt ? Gives him a chance to avenge a loss. He said he'd rather wait for Rua to get healthy .

Stupid thread title man. Really stupid.

I guess I can understand it from Evans' point of view. He's next in line for a title shot, would make no sense to take such a difficult fight to kill time while Shogun's injured. Everything to lose and nothing to gain. If he wins, he's still the #1 contender. If he loses, then he's not.

Machida shouldn't even be in the discussion for the next championship fight. He essentially just lost two championship fights in a row, once getting KTFO in the first round. A fight with Rampage makes the most sense, but Rampage doesn't care at all about cooperating these days.

BLKOUT wrote:Everything to lose and nothing to gain.

I don't think the fight should happen unless Rashad wants it, but from a competitive standpoint Rashad has a lot to gain from avenging his only loss. That's one thing that makes GSP so great, he has avenged both of his losses in dominating fashion.

This is a terrible idea. If they were to create an interim belt and Machida wins then that's 3 straight fights for Shogun vs Machida, which is beyond ridiculous. Machida doesn't deserve to be in the title discussion so shortly after losing the belt, and needs a couple wins or one marquee win at least to fight for number one contender.

2009NBAChamps wrote:This is a terrible idea. If they were to create an interim belt and Machida wins then that's 3 straight fights for Shogun vs Machida

Exactly. I have no issue with Rashad waiting for Shogun.

Supposedly Shogun will be back sooner than expected, so it won't be a year layoff like Lesnar. No need for an interim if that's true.

Neither has anything to gain from this fight.

Evans is next in line for a shot. Let's see Machida/Franklin II.

Uh, you don't become an elite pro MMA fighter by being afraid of people and if you do,
you'll be staring at an arena roof while smelling salt is being wafted in front of your nose.

Doubtful.

Rashad/Machida will happen eventually.

He doesn't need to fight Machida again to prove that he's not afraid of him. He's already fought him once, and now instead of fighting him again he wants to fight a better fighter who has a history being MUCH more vicious and dangerous inside the octagon. How you get that he's afraid of Lyoto from all that i have no clue.

I highly doubt Rashad is scared of Machida. Dude earned his title shot again. Why would he do anything that could possibly jeopardize that? Just doesn't make sense for him.

I agree that its silly to think that Rashad is scared of Machida.

I also agree that Rashad should want to avenge his loss.

If he wins the title, he'll have the chance to avenge that loss one way or another eventually. Best of all worlds.

Yeah I'd say on his list of priorities winning the title back would outrank avenging his loss. He can fight him after he's won it, if Machida is still winning.

If i was rashad, i would fight machida first and then fight Shogun
So if he loses to maachida he doesnt lose the possible title.

TheRaptorTruth wrote:If i was rashad, i would fight machida first and then fight Shogun
So if he loses to maachida he doesnt lose the possible title.

Uhh, he would lose the title shot.