UFC 123 Results: Why There Is No Quinton Jackson-Lyoto Machida Rematch

At the UFC 123 post-fight press conference, Dana White vehemently squashed any thoughts of a rematch between Rampage Jackson and Lyoto Machida. He said, "No. Listen, as far as I’m concerned, and apparently as far as the judges were concerned, Rampage won that fight.”

What does that really mean?

From purely a business standpoint, it makes sense for Dana White to take advantage of this win for Rampage. Love him or hate him, Rampage is still a draw and a rematch would only serve to set him up for failure against a man that he already beat.

Dana knows this and he said as much, saying in regards to Rampage getting a title fight, “he’s in the mix. Those two fighting tonight they’re at the top of the heap in the 205-pound division, and Rampage came out the winner tonight.”

From a performance standpoint, there are at least two fighters that would deserve a title shot before you get to Rampage.

But at times things don't always work out "the right way." Dana and UFC is going to do what is best for business, and that's their prerogative.

By putting Rampage into a rematch with Lyoto, you are setting him up for failure. Rampage could tell that Machida had figured something out in the third round in their fight and that's what led him to believe that Machida would get the decision.

Now, you can market a potential light heavyweight championship fight with Rampage vs Rua, or whomever the champion might be when he gets the shot, around Rampage coming back and defeating one of the best light heavyweight fighters in UFC.

Whether it's the right thing or not, for the record I don't think Rampage is ready, it doesn't matter because Dana White knows what is going to be the best thing for business and what will get the fans most interested.