The UFC Does Not Fix Fights: A Few Examples

After reading several articles that took on the issue of fixed fights in the UFC, I decided that I'd throw my two cents into the mix. 

First and foremost, I do not believe that the UFC fixes its fights.  I will, however, agree that on occasion, the UFC will hand pick opponents tailored to be relatively easy fights for certain fighters. 

Some fights come to mind immediately when the word "gimme fight" comes up:

Gabriel Gonzaga, for example; his last two opponents were pretty much gimme fights in Justin McCully and Josh Hendricks.  Brandon Vera was also given one of these fights against UFC newcomer Reese Andy in Vera's Light Heavyweight debut. 

Those are just a few examples of the occasional gimme fight that the UFC will hand out.  However, this article is not about gimme fights because gimme fights in the UFC are rare.  The fact that gimme fights are rare in the UFC is a good example as to why the UFC does not fix its fights; most fighters in the UFC face top competition every fight.  The point of this being that to be the best, you have to beat the best and more often than not, the UFC will put on the fights that the fans want to see.

Now before I get too far off topic, here are several examples that I think prove that the UFC does not fix its fights.

Chuck Liddell is the most obvious example here.

Chuck Liddell was, and still is–except maybe now for Brock Lesnar - the most recognizable figure in mixed martial arts.  He is the UFC's poster boy and Dana White's right hand man. 

Chuck Liddell vs. Rampage Jackson

When Rampage Jackson was brought to the UFC, it was obvious that the UFC wanted to match him up with Chuck Liddell to challenge for the Light Heavyweight belt.  Chuck Liddell had lost to Rampage in Pride and this fight was to allow Chuck to avenge that loss and allow Dana White to say "I told you we have the best fighters in the world!"

Rampage beat Chuck in the first round of that title fight.  Chuck was not supposed to lose. 

But because Rampage is such a marketable figure, this example isn't as clear cut as the next.

Chuck Liddell vs. Keith Jardine

Chuck was definitely not supposed to lose this one.  This fight was supposed to be one of those 'gimme fights' for Liddell.  Jardine isn't exactly the most marketable fighter in the UFC and was supposed to be a perfect matchup for Liddell as he would stand and trade with the former champ; it would be here that Liddell would knock him out.

Not so much.

Jardine executed a perfect game plan using effective kicks to keep Liddell off his game.  Jardine won by split decision and handed Chuck Liddell his second loss in a row. 

Not exactly what the UFC had in mind.

Chuck Liddell vs. Rashad Evans

With Chuck coming off an impressive win over Wanderlei Silva, a win over Evans would set up a huge money making fight between two of the UFC's most marketable fighters in Chuck Liddell and Forrest Griffin for the UFC Light Heavyweight title.

Evans' style was one that Liddell beats easily; a wrestler who will try to take him down.  Chuck had a lot of success fighting wrestlers because he would use his own wrestling ability to defend the takedown, keep the fight standing and land that knockout punch.  This was to be the case against Evans.

But Evans didn't look for the takedown.  He opted to stand and trade with Liddell.

Liddell took a nap.

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