UFC 123 was full of great fights, but one fight in particular has fight fans wondering in amazement as to how one fighter got the split decision to earn their win. The main event at UFC 123 featured a great battle between former light-heavyweight champions Lyoto Machida and Rampage Jackson. Jackson came out of the gates swinging with Machida tagging him with leg kicks. Jackson looked good as he was able to catch The Dragon with a few shots, but Machida was able to use his foot work to avoid Jacksons power shots. The round was pretty even, but the case could be made that Machida took the first round.

In round two it was more of the same, but Jackson was able to take Machida down to the ground but Machida quickly recovered and got back up to his feet. Round two was Jacksons. Then came round three, it was do or die for both fighters as whoever won got their chance of redemption as they fight for the UFC light-heavyweight title once again.

Jackson swung and missed a few times as Machida backed up to avoid danger, and then dove in with a few shots of his own. The fight went to the ground again this time it was Machida who was in control, he got was able to mount rampage and even went for an arm bar. Jackson was able to get to his feet and was close to landing one of his signature slams but Machida quickly let go of his triangle submission attempt and avoided the slam. Later in the round Machida landed a flurry of punches and kicks which should have given him the round. But the judges didn’t think so as they gave the win to Jackson via split decision.

If you ask this MMA fan, Lyoto Machida was robbed. Some same its bitter sweet revenge for the first Machida-Shogun fight. Jackson himself was even surprised he got the nod, when he said after the fight, “Machida whooped my ass tonight, I considered that an ass whipping.”

So The Dragon is now 16-2 with two losses in a row and will now have to work his way up from the bottom of the ladder if he ever wants to regain the light-heavyweight title again.

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