'Rampage' Aiming to Avoid Potential Judging Nightmare at UFC 123

On Saturday, former UFC light heavyweight champions Lyoto Machida and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson will square off in the main event of UFC 123. The bout, scheduled for Nov. 20 at the Palace of Auburn Hills in suburban Detroit, represents one of the more interesting style clashes in the division.

In one corner stands the brawler in Jackson. Staring at him across the cage will be the tactician in Machida. While the difference in technique may very well produce fireworks, there's an uneasy feeling surrounding the bout regarding the possibility of a slow main event.

Jackson is fresh off a defeat to “Ultimate Fighter” nemesis Rashad Evans at UFC 114 in May, a fight which cost him No. 1 contendership for the 205-pound title. While the fight garnered considerable hype, the bout itself fell flat. At the UFC 123 press conference on Wednesday, “Rampage” was asked directly whether he felt any added pressure to make his fight with Machida an exciting one.

“I wouldn't call it extra pressure. I feel my last performance wasn't that exciting, and anybody who understands me knows that I like to put on a great show. I like entertaining people. That's one of the reasons why I became a fighter,” said Jackson. “Honestly, I have always respected Machida, but I feel like too many fighters are coming up with crazy game plans and fighting for points.”

Though Machida has put on more fan-friendly bouts in his last several trips inside the Octagon, the Brazilian is still somewhat looked upon by observers as relatively non-confrontational thanks to a puzzling karate style.

“Obviously, I think in his last couple of fights, we've seen a more aggressive Lyoto Machida. It'll be interesting to see which Lyoto comes to fight [on Saturday],” said UFC president Dana White. “When Rampage's timing is on, he moves forward and he hits hard. If that Rampage shows up, it should be a fun fight no matter which style Lyoto uses.”

As a non-title fight, the three-round limit presents Jackson with only 15 minutes to hunt down and slay “The Dragon.”

“I love MMA, but I don't think MMA has the best judges,” said Jackson. “Judges come from different areas and don't really understand all aspects of MMA,”

Machida himself has been on the beneficial end of a controversial verdict, as all three judges awarded him a razor-thin unanimous decision in his first title defense against current champ Mauricio Rua at UFC 104. Judging and officiating on the whole has been widely criticized by fans, fighters and promoters alike.

“The problem is that this sport is one-on-one. These fighters put in so much blood and sweat and tears, and then they win and get robbed,” said White. “Sometimes I’m literally blown away. It not only affects a guy's life, but it affects his legacy. You're fighting to go down as the best, and somebody who has no idea what they're doing can ruin that for you.”

At this point, it's difficult to predict whether the fight will inspire or disappoint. Ultimate, says White, it's up to the fighters to go for the proverbial kill.

“I always tell fighters not to leave it in the hands of the judges. Aside from voicing my opinion, there's not a lot I can do.”