
This Saturday in Detroit, two former light-heavyweight champions — both coming off of losses — will battle to retain their top-contender status. To better predict the outcome of Rampage vs. Machida, we look to the stats, which never, ever fail us. Check ‘em out below, and don’t forget to make your picks in this week’s MMA Fightpicker pools!
# OF SUCCESSFUL TITLE DEFENSES AS CHAMPION
Jackson: 1
Machida: 1
Advantage: even
FINISHING RATIO
Jackson: 55% (21 stoppage wins in 38 career fights)
Machida: 41% (7 stoppage wins in 17 career fights)
Advantage: Jackson
CURRENT CAMP AFFILIATION
Jackson: It’s kind of a secret.
Machida: Black House
Advantage: Machida
UNFORTUNATE BEVERAGE CHOICE
Jackson: Energy drinks
Machida: Pee-pee
Advantage: Jackson
BETTING ODDS
Jackson: +220
Machida: -225
Advantage: Machida
SIZE
Jackson: 6’1", 73-inch reach
Machida: 6’1", 74-inch reach
Advantage: The phrase "virtually identical" comes to mind, but the slight edge goes to Machida.
PERFORMANCE BONUSES
Jackson: Four (2 KO of the Night, 2 Fight of the Night) in seven UFC fights
Machida: Two (2 KO of the Night) in nine UFC fights
Advantage: Jackson
BELT RANKS
Jackson: none
Machida: Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, 3rd-dan black belt in Shotokan Karate
Advantage: Machida
# OF CHILDREN NAMED AFTER THEIR NICKNAME
Jackson: 4 (D’Angelo Rampage, Raja Rampage, Elijah Rampage, Naname Page)
Machida: none
Advantage: Jackson
RECORD AGAINST COMMON OPPONENTS
Jackson: Lost to Mauricio Rua via TKO R1, lost to Rashad Evans via unanimous decision
Machida: Defeated Rashad Evans via KO R2, defeated Mauricio Rua via unanimous decison, lost to Mauricio Rua via KO R1
Advantage: Machida
HAD A SHORT-LIVED MMA "ERA" DEVOTED TO THEM
Jackson: No
Machida: Yes
Advantage: Machida
FOOD HABIT
Jackson: Ketchup on everything.
Machida: Acai smoothies every morning.
Advantage: even
HAS HUMPED A CAGEPOTATO REPORTER
Jackson: Sure
Machida: Not yet
Advantage: Jackson
By a score of 6-5-2, Machida sneaks off with the matchup on paper. Look for the Dragon to win by unanimous decision or a KO/TKO late in the fight…


Fried Taco ftw. Lots of good comments, actually. Nice set-up, CP.