I heard last night about Shogun be robbed from Kickin. I wasn’t sure what to expect as I sat down Sunday afternoon to watch the fight.
There are always close decisions. Way more often than not, in fact almost always, I have felt that the UFC judges have gotten the decisions correct.
Here are my thoughts as I am watching the main event:
Round 1: This round could go either way. I would give it to Shogun by a hair. However, I can see how a judge would give the round to the champion. That is especially the case because it is the very first round. It’s hard to start giving the fight to the challenger this early when he didn’t do a great deal to take the round decisively.
Round 2: Half way through the second round, looks like Machida will take this one unless Shogun really impresses in the final minutes. And he is with a couple nice kicks and finishes the round by controlling the champ against the cage. I would give this round to Shogun as well. Again, same as the first, very close. The only negative for Shogun is the stuffed takedowns.
Round 3: Shogun comes out with another big kick to Machida’s ribs. Machida is forced to switch his stance up to try and cover up with right side. Now, Shogun is controlling Machida against the cage briefly. As they seperate he connects with another leg kick. However, Machia comes back with two counters of his own. Machida finishes the round strong. I honestly would have leaned towards Shogun if not for the Machida flurry with 30 seconds to go.
Round 4: Machida comes out with the southpaw stance, lets see if that last with these body shots coming from Shogun. One minute comes and goes with nothing substantial. Machida has connected with the better shots thus far with 2 minutes gone.
One minute to go and Shogun is stalking Machida. He takes the center of the octagon as Machida swtiches from southpaw. Not a good round for either fighter as the fans give them some boos. It has to go to Shogun.
Round 5: I am happy with the commentary put forth from the guys. Very unbiased–I would have thought I would be hearing more Machida-love. Machida is being pushed around, Shogun is controlling the round for the first 2 minutes. Midway point brings a couple nice knees and now has Shogun against the cage. He looks comfortable though. Machida on the other hand looks like he is in pain and I’m sure he is. The body kicks continue to rain down on Machida. Last minute. This should have been a victory lap for Shogun.
Shogun won the 5th round easily.
Here is the decision… Wow, unanimous too. I wasn’t sure what I was going to see when I was told about this robbing of Shogun last night. I was even more unsure after some of the things I read online and the post fight presser with Dana White.
Shogun won this fight. Bottom line. He won it and although it was close’ I’ve seen a lot closer. Machida should not have woken up Sunday as the UFC Light Heavyweight champion. Looks like Machida should have spent less time learning English and buying new suits and more time training.
To add some more perspective to my analysis. I am a Machida fan not a Shogun fan. But, dude got robbed it’s as simple as that.
The good news; their will undoubtedly be a rematch. Also, it Shogun can win that rematch we will get to see Anderson Silva vs Shogun. So things aren’t all bad.
