While I was watching the Lyoto Machida vs. Mauricio "Shogun" Rua fight on Saturday, I had an eerie feeling that a questionable decision could be coming down the pipes. After all, we boxing fans are conditioned for this sort of possibility. We realize that our sport is, to quote Larry Merchant, the theater of the absurd. But in MMA this could never happen.
Guess again. As the live crowd voiced its displeasure and the message boards exploded from the gift decision to Machida, it brought a twisted smile to my face. Welcome to our world, MMA fans!
Boxing has long been criticized for controversial and even bad decisions, from Leonard-Hagler to Lewis-Holyfield and most recently Holyfield-Valuev. While many people have sworn that these decisions would kill boxing, the sport rolls along. Although I am not proud of these moments, it is a natural product of the human element of judging. I certainly prefer this to a computer-based scoring system, where the intangibles are not factored into a decision.
The Machida-Rua fight had every element of a good, technical boxing match. There were calculated strikes from precise game plans, and there was some buzz in the crowd before the decision was announced. Both fighters gave a solid performance, and their fate was placed into the hands of three judges.
While I scored the fight 4-1 for Shogun, there was an argument that could be made for a 3-2 scorecard either way. It is the classic example of what can happen when subjective forces control an outcome. The three judges, scattered around the octagon, have different angles of vision to witness the action. They may also view one style as superior to another, and they may feel that the champion's title must be clearly taken. Whatever the case, imperfect people sometimes render imperfect decisions. We need only look to the BCS in college football to realize such.
However, there is something to be said for such possibilities and suspense. As the college football season holds excitement for its unpredictability, so do fighting sports. As a fan of both boxing and MMA, I realize that while I am angered in the short term by questionable decisions, it does make the conclusion of a fight that much more exciting.
With that being said, I must congratulate Dana White for his stance after the scorecards were announced. He publicly questioned the decision and demanded a rematch, serving as a role model for those boxing commissioners who often turn a blind eye to poor scoring. While he takes some criticism for his authoritative rule of the UFC, I appreciate the fact that he can make fights happen and usually ensures that the best fight the best. Mr. White, you deserve a big thank you for your actions concerning this fight. If we had you in boxing, maybe we could finally see Mayweather vs Pacquiao.
People often talk about the differences between MMA and boxing and their competition for the fight fans' dollars. Saturday night allowed me the opportunity to stop and reflect on the fact that these two popular sports have more in common than we might want to believe. So don't write off MMA as unfair or corrupt; appreciate the drama for what it is. MMA fans, welcome to our world!