Randy won a unanimous decision with scores of 29-28, 30-27, and 30-27.  This decision, along with the fight between Fighters.com and UFC Light Heavyweight Champion “Dragon” Lyoto Machida (16-0) and third-ranked “Shogun” Mauricio Rua (18-4) made me wonder just what the judges are looking for and scoring during a fight.

The criteria for judging a mixed martial arts fight, according to the Nevada State Athletic Commission is as follows: Clean Strikes, effective grappling, Octagon control, and effective aggressiveness.

What jumped out at me at first was the term “effective” Randy Couture did not have effective grappling in the fight. He used a clinch to push Vera against the cage (an argument can be made that he had Octagon control, but more on that later) but was never able to get him to the mat, whereas, in the third round, Vera managed to effectively take down Randy and pass to full mount.

How about effective aggressiveness you may ask?  This, per the NSAC, is defined as: “Who is moving forward and finding success. (scoring)  Throwing a strike moving backwards is not as effective as a strike thrown moving forward. Throwing strikes and not landing is not effective aggressiveness. Moving forward and getting struck is not effective aggressiveness. Shooting takedowns and getting countered and fended-off is not effective aggressiveness.”

So, using the proper criteria, did Randy do enough to win two, let alone all three rounds? He did move forward and clinch against the cage, but never scored much from that position. He attempted take downs, but got countered, thus giving Vera the edge in effective aggressiveness according to the strict NSAC guidelines.

The next criteria is Octagon control which is: “The fighter who is dictating the pace, place, and position of the fight. A striker who fends off a grappler’s takedown attempt to remain standing and effectively strike is Octagon control. A grappler who can take down an effective standing striker to ground fight is Octagon control. The fighter on the ground who creates submission, mount, or clean striking opportunities.”

Many believe Randy to have won this category. He did dictate where the fight took place by using the clinch against the cage. However, Brandon fended off his take down attempts, he took Randy down and went to mount. So, of the four parts that make up Octagon control, Randy owned one while Brandon was better at three of them. Thus giving Vera the edge in octagon control as well. Brandon Vera has now won three of the four criteria used in judging a fight per the NSAC.

However, we heard Cecil Peoples say he scores on who’s trying to finish a fight, not on number of strikes landed. I may have missed the part in the NSAC regulations that I have in front of me that states anything about trying to finish a fight. This is what leads me to believe scoring is arbitrary. There is a clear definition of what to look for and the order of importance with effective aggressiveness factored in last. It is the criteria of least importance. Since the definition calls for moving forward and scoring, it is imperative for the judges to look at the scoring first. Trying to finish a fight is effective aggressiveness as I have come to understand it. Landing leg kicks that essentially take away your opponents ability to strike and score effectively, as Mauricio Rua did to Lyoto Machida at UFC 104, is the essence of clean strikes. The leg kicks were both effective and efficient as per the NSAC guidelines.

After listening to Mr. Peoples and watching the two fights I have discussed, it is clear to me the judges are using their own criteria for scoring fights and not strictly following the guidelines laid out very clearly to them. In combat sports we have always had and will continue to have close decisions that people will argue about. As fans, journalists, and fighters, we need to speak loud and clear to the athletic commisions. Judges need to be held to a higher standard and someone needs to ensure they are scoring based on the correct guidelines and not based on the fact that it is Randy Couture in the cage or the fact that it is a title fight. Cecil Peoples proves by his comments that he is not scoring based on the proper criteria.

As the host of MMA Gospel Radio I did a segment called “Save MMA” where I discussed a few things we need to see in mixed martial arts to ensure a bright future for a sport instead of the dim situation we currently see in boxing. One of those ideas is to make the judges get a national certification rather than state-to-state certification. Included in this idea was that, in order to keep said certification, all judges must attend an evaluation course three times a year. The evaluation will consist of watching a fight and all judges will score the fight. The the scores will need to be defended in front of their colleagues using the guidelines they are to be following. This would help to eliminate a judge using his or her own criteria. If a judge is found to be scoring incorrect, that judge would be put on a probation period. If they continue to fights outside of the confines of the rules and regulations then their certification is revoked until they can demonstrate appropriate knowledge of the scoring system.

In the end, we can eliminate the arbitrary scoring we are currently seeing in mixed martial arts today. Then and only then can MMA step-up to take it’s place as the best sport in the world.

Reverend Turk Vangel, Gary Friedman, and Drew Hall will welcome Zack Mickelwright (9-1) to Saturday’s MMA Gospel Radio broadcast.  Listen live and join us in the chat room at www.blogtalkradio.com/mmagospel Saturday between 6:00 and 8:00 PM.

Ultimately Machida was awarded the unanimous decision, but by no means was the victory without controversy.  I was at UFC 104 and, prior to the decision being announced, predicted the match going to Machida by the score of 48-47.

That being said, I didn’t think Machida dominated Rua in his typical fashion and watched the UFC’s most elusive fighter take an unexpected beating.

Regardless of my scoring of the fight, a statistically analytical review will shed some light on this highly-debated match up. For statistical data, I referenced Fight Metric’s break down of the fight.

Round One

Machida came out in this round and stuck to his usual game plan, forcing the usually aggressive Rua to chase him.  Rua showed great patience and landed 15 solid leg kicks, something that most of Machida’s past opponents found impossible.  Machida showed his usual elusive patience and landed nine solid body shots and only one leg kick.

It appeared that although Machida was still hard to aggress, Rua’s game plan was to take “The Dragon’s” legs out of the equation.  By sheer numbers alone, Rua appeared to have taken this round by out-striking Machida 19 to 11.

But, what most casual fans don’t realize is that the scoring criteria that the judges use scores higher for “clean” striking than sheer volume.

CSAC judge Cecil People’s was quoted as saying, “Clean strikes are valued more-so than the quantity of strikes landed.  You have to keep in mind we always favor the fighter who is trying to finish the fight, and leg kicks certainly don’t do that.”

Although I disagree Peoples’s “leg kick” comment, Machida won the first round using his criteria.  Rua also had one takedown attempt defended successfully by Machida, therefore scoring grappling points in favor of Machida.

Round Two

The second round featured more of the same game plan for both fighters.  Machida was still making Rua come to him and looking for opportune times to counter. Rua came out and threw another impressive series of 14 leg kicks, effectively containing Machida’s leg attack and minimizing Machida’s kicking game to a mere two kicks landed.

Rua also began to land body shots in round two, out striking Machida by double and landing a total of six solid body shots. Although Machida was landing a few shots, Rua shook them off and stayed focused and patient.  Machida did unleash two solid power shots to Rua’s head in this round and successfully defended another Rua takedown attempt.

By a statistical account, Rua took this round.

One of the factors over which Machida did maintain an advantage was dictating when and where the fight happened. Machida is a master at forcing his opponent to chase him and attempt to push the fight.  And, when his opponents chase, Machida unleashes his lethally accurate counterattack.  Although Machida did stick to that game plan, Rua did a phenomenal job at fending off Machida’s counterattacks and working to land strikes as well.

Based on the “quality-over-quantity” method, I found this round hard to score.  Machida won this round on all judges’ score cards, and next to no one else’s.

Round Three

Machida came out for round three looking winded and noticeably affected by Rua’s onslaught of leg kicks. Rua continued his assault on Machida’s legs, landing another nine leg kicks throughout the round.

However, Machida finally seemed to find the accuracy with his hands, landing 15 total head and body shots. Rua attempted another failed takedown, but still showed a great ability to find his range, landing ten shots to Machida’s head and body. Machida’s usually lightning fast defense was too slow and Rua began chipping away at the holes.

This was arguably the closest statistical round, Rua landing 19 shots to Machida’s 15. Machida also shook off another Rua takedown attempt. Machida won the hearts of all three judges this round, but few fans were swayed.

Round Four

Round four was where Machida began to show fatigue and Rua’s damaging leg attack paid off.  Machida threw a measly three strikes all round while defendind a takedown attempt.

On the other hand, Rua seemed to gain steam as the crowd cheered his name. Rua landed another five solid leg kicks and lit Machida up with a total of five power strikes to the body and head of the champ.

It looked like Machida was finished and just dodging Rua’s hungry attack. But, on California State Athletic Commission’s Nelson Hamilton’s card, Machida won the round. 
Machida looked battered, moved slowly, and landed next to nothing. Machida obviously lost round five.

Round Five

Machida, although bruised, battered, and tired, seemed to know that he lost the previous round and came out for the final round trying to push the pace. Unfortunately for Machida, Rua came out with the same mind set and looked crisp.

Rua was fighting with patient aggression, nearly doubling Machida’s strikes, and continued to land leg kicks at will.  Rua attempted no takedowns, thus no grappling points could be awarded to Machida.  Machida was exhausted and beat up.  Rua won this round.

At the end of the fight, the jury was out.

Rua did the best job yet at neutralizing Machida’s puzzling style.  Machida appeared mortal. Both fighters left it all in the cage.  But, based on the criteria professional judges use to score fights, Machida won by the score 48-47.

Round One: 10-9
Round Two: 10-9
Round Three: 10-9
Round Four: 9-10
Round Five: 9-10

When watching a fight live, UFC broadcaster Joe Rogan and Mike Goldberg aren’t whispering their own biases in my ear. Also, live UFC events last about six hours and, by the time the main card hits, the live audience is full of beer and ready to cheer and jeer anything. Don’t always interpret the crowd’s reaction as reflective of what’s happening in a fight.

Finally, as everyone knows, never let the judges decide. They are human and have their own views and opinions. If you want the win, finish the fight.

The official voice of Fighters.com, MMA Gospel Radio will broadcast at 6 PM ET/3 PM PT Saturday November 7 before the Strikeforce fights on CBS.  Listen live and join us in the chat room at www.blogtalkradio.com/mmagospel.

Rua confounded and flustered Machida with kicks to Machida’s legs and body for at least three out of five rounds in Los Angeles October 24, and some have argued Rua won four rounds.  But all three judges scored the fight 48-47 in favor of the champ.

Across the great South American nation from which both fighters have travelled around the world to entertain and awe fight fans, familiar lines are being redrawn because of the controversial UFC 104 main event.

Second-ranked “Spider” Anderson Silva (25-4) of Black House, a team made-up largely of former Brazilian Top Team members, told Tatame, “In my opinion, Lyoto won every round.”

And, ninth-ranked “Axe Murderer” Wanderlei Silva (33-10-1), formerly of Chute Boxe with Rua, declared to Tatame, “[Rua] is the new champion.”

Years ago Brazilian Top Team and Chute Boxe played out one of MMA’s greatest camp rivalries in the now defunct PRIDE promotion.  The hot blood between the two camps was thought to have cooled after many of the greatest fighters from both camps moved on to other camps or started their own gyms.

But, the title fight between Machida and Rua has heated up the old adversaries and reignited excitement about MMA in Brazil.

UFC President Dana White promised an immediate rematch between Machida and Rua; and, Since UFC 104, Machida has announced he will undergo surgery on his left hand, postponing the rematch in 2010.

Brazil deserves the rematch!  It would be a huge UFC return to Brazil since their only Brazilian event in São Paulo in October 1998.

And, besides the top three spots in MMA’s most competitive and popular division being held by Brazilians, three other Brazilians are also ranked among the top ten at 205.

Of course, Anderson Silva will defend his Fighters.com and UFC Middleweight Championship from Brazilian “Phenom” Vitor Belfort (18-8) sometime in 2010.  That previously UFC 108 slotted main event could also be postponed until the UFC can put on a show in Brazil next spring, making a Brazilian card with two all-Brazilian title fights at the top.

Seventh-ranked Brazilian “Banha” Luis Arthur Cane (8-1) will fight countryman “Minotoro” Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (15-3) at UFC 106 in Las Vegas November 11.

Wanderlei Silva is expected to lead the UFC into Australia at UFC 110 February 20, 2010 in a middleweight fight versus tenth-ranked middleweight “Sexyama” Yoshihiro Akiyama (14-2).

Newly tenth-ranked Brazilian Thiago Silva (15-1) will get a chance to step-up versus fourth-ranked “Sugar” Rashad Evans (13-1-1) at UFC 108 in Las Vegas January 2.

Fifth-ranked American Forrest Griffin (16-6) will welcome former UFC light heavyweight champion “Huntington Beach Bad Boy” Tito Ortiz (15-6-1) back to the UFC at UFC 106 in Las Vegas November 21 in a rematch Ortiz won the first time.

Sixth-ranked “Rampage” Quinton Jackson (28-7) remains retired; but, eighth-ranked “Iceman” Chuck Liddell (21-7) is expected to come out of retirement in 2010.

Fighters.com’s November Light Heavyweight Rankings

1. “Dragon” Lyoto Machida (16-0)

2. “Spider” Anderson Silva (25-4)

3. “Shogun” Mauricio Rua (18-4)

4. “Sugar” Rashad Evans (13-1-1)

5. Forrest Griffin (16-6)

6. “Rampage” Quinton Jackson (28-7)

7. “Banha” Luis Arthur Cane (8-1)

8. “Iceman” Chuck Liddell (21-7)

9. “Axe Murderer” Wanderlei Silva (33-10-1)

10. Thiago Silva (15-1)

“The Dragon’s” manager, Ed Soares, stated that Machida is focused on a rematch with sixth-ranked “Shogun” Mauricio Rua (18-4), but the fight will have to wait until the champion is healthy.

“He had surgery on his left hand,” Soares told MMA Junkie. “The doctor said it was a complete success.”

Soares went on to say that Machida will train in limited capacity until mid-January. He also added that Machida’s hand has been actually injured for a while. “Before the fight with ‘Shogun,’ he went to the doctor, and he went to a special surgeon in Brazil,” stated Soares. “Basically, they say said that he was going to need surgery, but he didn’t want to cancel the fight.”

The recent title championship bout between Machida and Rua ended in controversy at the hands of judges in Los Angeles. So much so that UFC President Dana White commented to the media that an immediate rematch was due. At this time, no date has been set for the two warriors to square off again.

Johnson had weighed-in five pounds over the welterweight limit Friday rendering the matchup a 176-pound catchweight fight rather than a welterweight fight.

Johnson’s size advantage was apparent both at the staredown and during the contest.  As the Japanese judoka, Yoshida, grasped for a hold of Johnson leaving his head defenseless, Johnson zipped a right hand to Yoshida’s face and Yoshida fell to the mat.

That punch should’ve earned Johnson an extra $60,000 for “Knockout of the Night”, but UFC President Dana White declared during the post-fight press conference that Johnson was ineligible due to his weight issues.

“First thing I want to say is I’m sorry to the UFC, and I’m sorry to the fans. I tried to make weight,” Johnson confided after the fight.

Like the judges’ decision in the main event, referee Steve Mazzagatti’s decision to stop the fight as Rothwell was standing up from Velasquez’s ground’n'pound assault was controversial.

However, the outcome of this fight was not.  Velasquez dominated the much larger and more experienced Rothwell, taking him down at will and launching thunderous shot after shot to Rothwell’s face and head.

Even Velasquez was surprised he was so dominant.  “I just felt like he’d defend [my takedowns] a lot more,” he admitted after the fight.

Mazzagatti had warned Rothwell between rounds that he was taking too much unanswered damage, so when Velasquez began round two as round one had ened – putting Rothwell on his back pounding him – Mazzagatti stepped in and ended the fight.

Rothwell protested, perhaps justifiably as he was standing up when the fight was ended; but, only Mazzagatti’s timing was bad as there was no reason to continue allowing Rothwell to take so much damage.

A confident and now well-vetted Velasquez said after the fight, “I know I need to get better, but, you know, I came in this sport to be the champion.  I want that belt.  And, whomever wins that fight between Lesnar and Carwin, that’s the fight I want.”

UFC President Dana White would not commit to assuring Velasquez a title shot versus the winner between UFC champion second-ranked Brock Lesnar (4-1) and sixth-ranked Shane Carwin (10-0).

“It was my most difficult fight I’ve had in the UFC,” said Machida after defeating his fellow Brazilian contryman.  “All three basically gave me a unanimous decision, so that’s how the judges saw it.”

But the fans in the STAPLES Center saw it differently, vigorously booing the judges’ decision, and so did UFC President Dana White.

“I thought ‘Shogun’ won the fight,” White admitted at the post-fight press conference and promised there would be an immediate rematch.

Both competitors had the same response to White’s promise of a rematch: Any time, anywhere.

Rua had studied his elusive opponent and used a combination of leg kicks and body kicks throughout the fight to slow Machida down and leave a pink welt on the left side of Machida’s body.

“I feel like I won this fight, but a fight is a fight, what can I do,” said “Shogun” after the loss.

Machida was most effective when he countered Rua’s aggressive attack with his own onslaught.  Near the end of round three, Machida marched forward in a flurry of punches that tagged Rua.

The final round continued the fight’s trend of Machida struggling to find his range and timing while Rua tagged him with leg and body kicks.

Rua weighed in at 204.5 pounds.

Machida has weighed in to a UFC light heavyweight fight as low as 199-pounds and is undefeated, however he has been more likely to win by stoppage when weighing 204 pounds or more the day before a fight indicating his weight does affect his performance.  Machida might expect a stand-up war versus the crisp striker Rua and therefore want to be lighter on his feet.

On the flips side of the coin, welterweight prospect “Rumble” Anthony Johnson (7-2) weighed 176 pounds, five pounds over the welterweight limit, for his fight versus eighth-ranked “Zenko” Yoshiyuki Yoshida (10-2), who weighed in at the limit.  The two agreed to fight regardless of Johnson’s apparent disregard for the rules and disrespect for Yoshida.

Lightweights “Dentis” Josh Neer (25-8-1) and Gleison Tibau (16-5) both missed weight in their matchup.  Neer weight 156.5 pounds and Tibau weighe 157 pounds.

The rest of the card made weight:

Cain Velasquez (6-0) 238 pounds v Ben Rothwell (26-6) 265 pounds
“Daddy” Joe Stevenson (30-9 155.5 pounds v “King” Spencer Fisher (23-4) 155 pounds
“Darth” Ryan Bader (7-0) 205 pounds v “Red” Eric Schafer (12-4-2) 205.5 pounds
“HD” Pat Barry (2-2) 237 pounds v Antoni Hardonk (8-5)  249.5 pounds
Fighters.com’s seventh-ranked middleweight Chael Sonnen (22-10-1) 185 pounds v “Thunder” Yushin Okami (23-4) 185 pounds
“El Conquistador” Jorge Rivera (16-7) 185 pounds v Rosedale Reaper” Rob Kimmons (21-4) 185 pounds
Kyle Kingsbury (8-2) 205.5 pounds v Razak Al-Hassan (7-1) 204.5 pounds
Chase Gormley (2-0) 262 pounds v Stefan Struve (13-2) 243.5 pounds

The popular broadcast goes behind the scenes as fighters prepare for their matchups.

Monday night’s episode will follow Fighters.com and UFC Light Heavyweight Champion “Dragon” Lyoto Machida (15-0) and his UFC 104 challenger sixth-ranked “Shogun” Mauricio Rua (18-3) as they train in their native Brazil to go at each other October 24 at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles.

The broadcast will also feature segments on heavyweights Cain Velasquez (6-0) and “Big” Ben Rothwell (26-6) who match-up in the UFC 104 co-main event.

The UFC also announced the weigh-ins for UFC 104 will take place Friday, Octpber 23 at 4:00 PM local time at the L.A. Live Event Deck.  Weigh-ins are open to the public and broadcast live at the UFC’s website.

Tickets starting at $50 are available online at Ticketmaster, via Ticketmaster charge-by-phone lines at (800) 745-3000, and are also available at the STAPLES Center box office. Prices do not include service charges.

Sanchez has certainly fought in some of SpikeTV’s most memorable fights, including his most recent split decision victory over perennial gatekeeper “Carpenter” Clay Guida (25-10) at The Ultimate Fighter 9 finale in Las Vegas June 20.

But, UFC lightweights fifth-ranked “Bully” Gray Maynard (8-0) and sixth-ranked “The Answer” Frank Edgar (10-1) are more deserving of a title shot, though admittedly less well-known to casual UFC fans.

Maynard won a split decision over another unranked, but popular UFC lightweight “El Matador” Roger Huerta (20-3-1) at UFC Fight Night 19 in Oklahoma City September 16.

Edgar will follow-up his unanimous decision over former UFC champ ninth-ranked “Muscle Shark” Sean Sherk (33-4-1) at UFC 98 in Las Vegas May 23 versus “Batman” Kurt Pellegrino (15-4) at The Ultimate Fighter 10 finale in Las Vegas December 5.

Diaz beats unrelenting, but beatable Guida and gets a title shot versus Penn.  Edgar beats the former champ Sherk and is notched down to fight Pellegrino.  Explain that…

Sherk was scheduled to fight Gleison Tibau (16-6) at UFC 104 in Los Angeles October 24, but withdrew with an injury.

Most recent UFC title challenger, seventh-ranked “KenFlo” Kenny Florian (11-4), will swap opponents with Diaz when he fights Guida at UFC 107.

Meanwhile, across the Pacific second-ranked DREAM champ “Tobikan Judan” Shinya Aoki (17-4) avenged his most recent loss in the division with an armbar submission of fourth-ranked “Hellboy” Joachim Hansen (18-7) at DREAM.11 in Yokohama October 6 and is already slated to defend his title from eighth-ranked “Crusher” Tatsuya Kawajiri (25-5-2) at Dynamite!! 2009 north of Tokyo on New Year’s Eve.

Third-ranked Eddie Alvarez (16-2) and tenth-ranked Katsunori Kikuno (5-0-1) will fight at DREAM.12 in Osaka October 25 for the next DREAM title shot versus the winner of Aoki v Kawajiri.

Fighters.com’s October Lightweight Rankings

1. “Prodigy” BJ Penn (14-5-1)

2. “Tobikan Judan” Shinya Aoki (17-4)

3. Eddie Alvarez (16-2)

4. “Hellboy” Joachim Hansen (18-7)

5. “Bully” Gray Maynard (8-0)

6. “The Answer” Frank Edgar (10-1)

7. “KenFlo” Kenny Florian (11-4)

8. “Crusher” Tatsuya Kawajiri (25-5-2)

9. “Muscle Shark” Sean Sherk (33-4-1)

10. Katsunori Kikuno (5-0-1)

Hamman is an EliteXC veteran with stoppages over powerhouse “Diesel” Travis Wiuff (57-12), Strikeforce prospect Aaron Rosa (10-3), and ADCC submission grappler and M-1 Global fighter Rogent Lloret (6-1-1).

Before his debut in the Octagon, Hamman spoke to Fighters.com about training with “Janitor” Vladimir Matyushenko (23-4), his only loss by 15-second knockout, and his preparations to fight Gustafsson.

Fighters.com: You train with Matyushenko at VMAT in El Segundo, who recently returned to the UFC.  Did his return lead directly to your signing?   Tell us how it came about that you signed with the UFC.

Jared Hamman: No, not exactly. Me and Vlad came under a new manager a few months ago.  Vlad signed with the UFC then and I was still working with strikeforce.  I was supposed to fight for them September 25.  During a meeting with my manager it was discovered that I was a free agent.  UFC made me an offer and I went with what I felt was the best decision.

Fighters.com: Why haven’t you competed in over a year?

Jared Hamman: When EliteXC went down, I was told that my contract was being held and being transferred over to strikeforce.  I had plenty of opportunities to fight, but I was told that I could’nt because I was still under contract.  So you can imagine how mad I was when I found out that I was a free agent.  In the end, though, it has given me a whole year to work on my game and increase my skill.

Fighters.com: You competed at ShoXC, which was televised and had the feel of a big production like the UFC.  Your opponent, Gustaffson, has only competed in northern Europe, where the MMA scene isn’t as developed.  Having come from smaller shows into ShoXc, what advantage do you have if any with both you and Gustaffson debuting in the Octagon?

Jared Hamman: You know, there may be some kind of advantage, but I dont think it’s a big one.  It helps to already have had the experience of having the camera in your face and doing pre-fight interview stuff for TV and what not, but I think any true fighter will tell you, when it comes down to it, a fight is a fight.  Whether its in the backyard or national TV you dont want to get your butt whooped and you want to fight hard and win.

Fighters.com: Besides the physical training, how is Vlad helping you mentally prepare for your UFC debut?

Jared Hamman: This is funny. Vlad and me are somewhat the same, yet totally different. I’m all fire and he’s ice. You see it in his face, stone cold, no emotion, just gets the job done and that’s it. Me, I’m a little bit more firey. I absolutely love to battle and go for it full bore. Vlad shoots it to me straight, lets me know when my technique sucked and when I’ve done well.  I respect that.  It’s easy to get around people in this sport that will tell you what you want to hear, but it’s important to have that person who tells you how it really is. The real thing, none of that fake stuff.  The fake stuff doesn’t make you a champion.

Fighters.com: You were KO’d in 15 seconds by Poai Suganuma (8-3) at EliteXC in April 2008, a loss you avenged in a first-round TKO four months later. I don’t believe in flukes. Do you believe in flukes and is that first loss to Suganuma an example? Or, was there a legititmate mistake Suganuma took advantage of and you worked to fix?

Jared Hamman: Something I have always said to my players (I coached college football) was, “The first person to hesitate is the first to get rocked!”  That fight I hesitated for a slight second, let my mind think instead of act, and it cost me. Now, I will say that I was still very able to fight and could’ve kept going, but the outcome is the way it is. I should have never put myself in that position in the first place. Poai is a good fighter and he did his thing perfectly that night. After that situation I will never hesitate again.

Fighters.com: I notice several of your stoppage wins are in the second round. Are you cautious at the beginning of a fight? Would you call yourself a “slow starter”?

Jared Hamman: I definitely would not say I’m a slow starter. You only get 15 minutes to fight and I want to be fighting all 15 of them. For me, it’s kind of like when I played football in college, you start off full speed, but it takes a few series and a couple good hits to really be comfortable in your pads. Same with fighting, you get some good hits and a little sweat and your good to go.

Fighters.com: I can’t imagine you have a lot of video on Gustaffson. When you’re feeling out an opponent at the beginning of a fight, what are you looking for?

Jared Hamman: To be honest, from the bell I’m trying to break the guy down, mentally and physically. I never want a fight to go to a decision, it’s a pickin fight. As with any fighter, I’m looking for openings and ways to end the fight right from the get-go.

For St. Pierre, it’ll be his first fight since injury his groin in a UD over second-ranked “Pitbull” Thiago Alves (16-4) at UFC 100 in Las Vegas July 11.

Though it’s not official, Alves is expected to fight fellow Brazilian fifth-ranked Paulo Thiago (7-1) at UFC 107 in Memphis December 12.

Third-ranked Jon Fitch (19-3) is expected to fight unranked “Cacharrao” Ricardo Almeida (11-3) at UFC 106 at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas November 21, though again the fight hasn’t been officially announced.

Fourth-ranked Jake Shields (21-4-1) has apparently abandoned the division and will challenge “Mayhem” Jason Miller (22-5) for the vacant Strikefore middleweight title at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates 33 miles northwest of Chicago November 7.

At UFC 103 in Dallas September 19, sixth-ranked Josh Koscheck (13-4) bounced back from his loss to Thiago at UFC 95 in London February 19 with a first-round knockout of “Twinkle Toes” Frank Trigg (19-7) then called out seventh-ranked Matt Hughes (41-7).

Hughes rebuffed Koscheck, but remains tight-lipped about his opponent when he returns to the Octagon in 2010.

Eighth-ranked “Zenko” Yoshiyuki Yoshida (10-2) will fight division prospect “Rumble” Anthony Johnson (7-2) at UFC 104

Fighters.com October Welterweight Rankings

1. “Rush” Georges St. Pierre (19-2)

2. “Pitbull” Thiago Alves (16-4)

3. Jon Fitch (19-3)

4. Jake Shields (21-4-1)

5. Paulo Thiago (7-1)

6. Josh Koscheck (13-4)

7. Matt Hughes (41-7)

8. “Zenko” Yoshiyuki Yoshida (10-2)

9. “Quick” Mike Swick (14-2)

10. “Outlaw” Dan Hardy (22-6)

Belfort earned the title shot by upsetting ninth-ranked “Ace” Rich Franklin (26-5) in just over three minutes in a 195-pound catch weight bout at UFC 103 in Dallas September 19.  Due to the catch weight, the victory over Franklin doesn’t earn Belfort a ranking in Fighters.com’s middleweight top ten.

After former champ Cung Le (6-0) stepped aside to focus on another film role, second-ranked Jake Shields (23-4-1) will fight for the vacant Strikeforce 185-pound title versus “Mayhem” Jason Miller (22-5) in Chicago November 7.

Seventh-ranked Chael Sonnen (22-10-1) will fight “Thunder” Yushin Okami (23-4) on the untelevised undercard of UFC 104 in Los Angeles October 24.  Fighters.com thinks it’s outrageous to relegate this battle of contenders to the untelevised undercard.

Tenth-ranked “Sexyama” Yoshihiro Akiyama (14-2) is rumored to follow-up his victorious UFC debut versus “The Talent” Alan Belcher (14-6) at UFC 100 in Las Vegas July 11 versus tenth-ranked light heavyweight “Axe Murderer” Wanderlei Silva (33-10-1) at UFC 108.  Silva will be debuting at middleweight.

Third-ranked “Hollywood” Dan Henderson (24-7) is a free agent and in negotiations to return to the UFC, but Hendo’ told Sherdog negotiations aren’t going well.

Fourth-ranked “Great” Nate Marquardt (29-8-2) and Hendo’ will probably fight for the next UFC title shot if Henderson and the UFC can agree to a contract soon.

Fifth-ranked “Dreamcatcher” Gegard Mousasi (22-2-1) has stated he won’t return to the middleweight division and now holds the Strikeforce light heavyweight title; but, Fighters.com has met Mousasi and he’s a small 205er.  If Mousasi decides to compete at the top of the 205-pound division, he’ll be at a severe disadvantage.

Sixth-ranked Demian Maia (10-1) will look to rebound soon from his first-round KO loss to Marquardt at UFC 102 in Portland August 30.

Eighth-ranked Dan Miller (11-2) is recovering from an injury which kept him from fighting “Doberman” CB Dollaway (8-2) at UFC Fight Night 19 in Oklahoma City September 19.

Franklin is in limbo after losing to Belfort and continues to contemplate his future at 185- and 205-pounds.

Fighters.com October Middleweight Rankings

1. “Spider” Anderson Silva (25-4)

2. Jake Shields (23-4-1)

3. “Hollywood” Dan Henderson (24-7)

4. “Great” Nate Marquardt (29-8-2)

5. “Dreamcatcher” Gegard Mousasi (22-2-1)

6. Demian Maia (10-1)

7. Chael Sonnen (22-10-1)

8. Dan Miller (11-2)

9. “Ace” Rich Franklin (26-5)

10. “Sexyama” Yoshihiro Akiyama (14-2)

What began as an uninteresting matchup forced after fifth-ranked “Rampage” Quinton Jackson (28-7) turned down a title shot versus Machida has become a bona fide grudge match between the Brazilians.

Top contender “Spider” Anderson Silva (25-4) will be tied-up through January defending his Middleweight Championship versus countryman “Phenom” Vitor Belfort (18-8) at UFC 108 in Las Vegas January 2.  Silva has repeated that he won’t fight his friend Machida, but Fighters.com sources say the fight could be made if UFC President Dana White meets certain conditions.  But, if Rua beats Machida at UFC 104, former Chute Box training partners Silva and Rua have been tossing verbal barbs back and forth and would make an exciting 205-pound title fight.

Third-ranked “Sugar” Rashad Evans (13-1-1) swapped a much-hyped grudge match versus “Rampage” for a fight versus Thiago Silva (14-1) at UFC 108.

“Rampage” has evidently retired, but Fighters.com isn’t buying it.  I’ll put money down that Jackson will fight in the Octagon in 2010.

The winner between Evans and Silva is next in line for the UFC title shot if Machida successfully defends.

Seventh-ranked “Banha” Luis Arthur Cane (8-1) will welcome fellow Brazilian “Minotoro” Antonio Rogerio Noguiera (15-3) to the Octagon at UFC 106 in Las Vegas November 21.  The winner will quickly enter the title mix.

Fourth-ranked Forrest Griffin (16-5) has been laying low since his embarrassing knockout loss to “Spider” Silva at UFC 101 in Philadelphia August 8.

Eighth-ranked “Hollywood” Dan Henderson (24-7) is a free agent and in negotiations to return to the UFC, but Hendo’ told Sherdog negotiations aren’t going well.

Ninth-ranked “Iceman” Chuck Liddell (21-7) has also “retired” and can be seen on “Dancing with the stars”, but Fighters.com expects to see Liddell return to the Octagon in 2010 as well.

“Axe Murderer” Wanderlei Silva (33-10-1) is preparing to debut at 185-pounds.

Fighters.com October Light Heavyweight Rankings

1. “Dragon” Lyoto Machida (15-0)

2. “Spider” Anderson Silva (25-4)

3. “Sugar” Rashad Evans (13-1-1)

4. Forrest Griffin (16-5)

5. “Rampage” Quinton Jackson (28-7)

6. “Shogun” Mauricio Rua (18-3)

7. “Banha” Luis Arthur Cane (8-1)

8. “Hollywood” Dan Henderson (24-7)

9. “Iceman” Chuck Liddell (21-7)

10. “Axe Murderer” Wanderlei Silva (33-10-1)

Slotted instead are the main event between Fighters.com and UFC Light Heavyweight Champion “Dragon” Lyoto Machida (15-0) and sixth-ranked “Shogun” Mauricio Rua (18-3) and co-main event between heavyweights Cain Velasquez (6-0) and “Big” Ben Rothwell (26-6) as well as the following matchups:

Gleison Tibau (16-5) v “Dentist” Josh Neer (25-8-1)
“Daddy” Joe Stevenson (30-9) v “King” Spencer Fisher (23-4)
“Rumble” Anthony Johnson (7-2) v “Zenko” Yoshiyuki Yoshida (11-3)

The Sonnen/Okami matchup could make the PPV broadcast if those fights run short and the Sonnen/Okami fight is both exciting and fits into the remaining time.

Okami is 7-1 in the Octagon and holds the distinction of being the only UFC fighter to hold a win over Fighters.com and UFC Middleweight Champion “Spider” Anderson Silva (25-4), albeit by disqualification at Rumble on the Rock 8 in Honolulu in 2006.  Okami’s only loss in the UFC was a tight UD to Fighters.com’s ninth-ranked middleweight “Ace” Rich Franklin (26-5) at UFC 72 in Belfast in June 2007.

Slated for the undercard with Sonnen v Okami is:

Antoni Hardonk (8-5) v “HD” Pat Barry (2-2)
“El Conquistador” Jorge Rivera (16-7) v “Rosedale Reaper” Rob Kimmons (21-4)
“Darth” Ryan Bader (7-0) v “Red” Eric Schafer (12-4-2)
Kyle Kingsbury (8-2) v Razak Al-Hassan (7-1)
Stefan Struve (13-2) v Chase Gormley (2-0)