UFC 143 Results: Alex Caceres' Dirty Tactics Must Keep Him from Rematch

While normally speaking a split-decision loss would scream for a rematch, Alex Caceres did not earn that right in his 28-27, 27-28, 28-27 defeat at the hands of Edwin Figueroa.

Caceres would have won the bout but lost two points because of repeated low blows. Once could easily be the sign of an accident. It is a fast in the ring, people are moving around quick and it's easy to think that a punch or kick was thrown with a different desired target than what it hit. 

But when it happens more than once, it is at best a sign that a fighter is using tactics that are far too close to the edge of what's legal, and crossing that line too often. The worst you can say is that he was just fighting dirty. After watching that bout, I don't know that I could disagree. 

Whatever it is, he broke the rules often enough to have two points deducted. When that happens, you don't deserve the rematch that normally comes with losing a close fight. 

You also don't deserve to be considered on the level with the fighter who just defeated you when it comes to booking future fights. 

None of these rules would apply under normal circumstances where two men went out there, gave their all and one emerged victorious in a close, possibly controversial bout. That was not the case in this fight, so different rules apply. 

Caceres shot himself in the foot. His tactics were likely the difference between a unanimous win and a split-decision loss. Still, it was his decision to fight that way, which means he deserves none of our sympathy. It also means that he deserves to be knocked down the UFC totem pole.

Photo courtesy of MMAweekly.com.

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