Rampage Almost had To Drop Machida Fight

Following his close split-decision victory over Lyoto (The Dragon) Machida, Quinton (Rampage) Jackson admitted he was almost forced to drop out of the bout.

"I’m just happy I made it to the fight," Jackson (31-8) said at the UFC 123 post-fight press conference. "None of you guys know, but this fight was almost cancelled a couple days ago because I caught a fever from my son. (I was) throwing up and everything, then I had to cut weight. I almost didn’t make it to this fight, but I didn’t want to let my fans down."

The gamble proved worth the risk, as two judges awarded Jackson the decision in a fight that wasn’t without its controversy.

The two former light-heavyweight champions fought a tight contest in the UFC 123 main event in the Detroit suburb of Auburn Hills, Michigan Saturday night. The first two rounds in particular were very close with Jackson attempting to close the distance on the elusive Machida (16-2). Machida looked to stay on the outside and pick his opponent apart, but Jackson continued to press forward with big punches.

The third round was all Machida, who rocked Jackson with a straight-left and followed up with a flurry. Moments later, he set up an armbar, but was forced to let go when Jackson deadlifted him off the mat.

Following the decision, Jackson was shocked he was awarded the fight.

"My trainers told me I won the fight, but when I was in the fight I had a one-track mind to knock him out," Jackson said. "When he dominated me so much in the third round, I forgot what happened in the first two rounds. My trainers told me I won the first two rounds and Dana (White) is saying it now.

"I really wanted to knock him out. So I am disappointed in my performance a little bit because I didn’t do everything I wanted to do. But my coach, Lance Gibson, made a game plan for me and I tried to stick to it."

Leading up to the event, Jackson ripped apart Machida`s style, calling him boring. He admits to having a newfound respect for the Brazilian, but still isn’t a fan of his tactics.

"It’s different fighting Machida than looking at him fight," Jackson said. "It really made for an exciting fight because I remember trying to punch him and he was already (gone). So I have a bit more respect for his style now. I wouldn’t want to watch it, though."