Both fighters did all they could, cant blame Serra for getting the nod. I feel bad for Lytle but i guess bottom line, Serra was pushing the whole fight pretty much although he couldnt push it very far at all.
POINTS:
I do agree that Dean made the mistake of letting Serra push up against the fence too long but that he didnt give Serra long enough with his TD. BUT, BUT....on the other hand, its a dilemna of having to let the fighters fight it out on their own (re: the fence).
I do think though that by letting the fight go along the fence for too long, it leaves us for what we got: a decision based on nothing much or neutralized action
Serra was the aggressor for the majority of the bout however
But, the extra round or overtime was ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY in this fight. If there was a situation for which Dana White had to intervene, i wish this could have been it and to call for the OT BUT...the judges have to be left alone to do their thing.
Lytle's td defense was great but he was still on defense. This is what separates a guy like CC and Liddel from Lytle's SNB execution. Esp with CC, he is great and disengaging from the clinch and circling out where Lytle allowed himself to get clinched and pushed against the fence
Serra is explosive and didnt let Lytle set up in the pocket. Thats why Chuck is so great, he can still keep the distance from his opponents attempting tds but still strike while back peddling or catch them coming in.
This is why Karo beat Lytle imo because Karo is aggressive with the tds and clinch and didnt let Lytle get set up to strike. Lytle seems more like a set up and box, box striker
Still the decision was basically built upon Serra pushing or pressuring Lytle against the fence. I think Dean should have realized that by the 2nd round and warned Serra that he would have to break if the action stalled BUT AGAIN, GIVE SERRA CREDIT - imo he did sorta earn his time against the fence BECAUSE HE WAS CONSTANTLY WORKING FOR THAT TAKE DOWN AND NOT JUST CONTENT TO KEEP LYTLE AGAINST THE FENCE
BOTTOM LINE:
I dont like the decision and think they should have absolutely, positively gone to OT but based on those 3 rounds, Serra was the aggressor.
I agree with you. I think they both fought great. I would love to have seen 1 more round to really make a decision. Unfortunately each judge makes 1/3 of the decision. On any given day 3 judges could have scored it the other way. That's what happens when you leave the fight into the judges hands. Don't forget about Matt Serra's oma plota attempt.
A lot of people weren't impressed with the fight because they didn't see a lot of action. But that isn't because either opponent doesn't have a lot of skills. It's because they both are awesome at defense. It's hard to comprehend how good these guys are at defense (shutting down the other guys offense). Mad props to both fighters. Congrats to a great guy (Matt Serra). Good sportsmenship as well. I'm sure Chris will get another chance.
smac, i say that because "if i had to give the rounds to someone," it would have been serra but i just wouldnt want to give them to anyone if it was possible to see another round to really help determine the decsion.
I think esp. since the title shot was being awarded here that OT was necessary.
On another point, Lytle would have been penalized for stalling on the ground though i dont think Serra would have got as much time to press against the fence or ropes either.
""if i had to give the rounds to someone," it would have been serra"
If that is the case, then you know who won the round Serra.
"I think esp. since the title shot was being awarded here that OT was necessary."
The fact that a title shot was being awarded doesn't change how the fight should be scored. It also would not have mattered unless Lytle stopped Serra, Serra was ahead by 3 points on two scorecards. Even if Lytle won round 4 10-8 on all three scorecards Serra would still have won the fight.
"On another point, Lytle would have been penalized for stalling on the ground though i dont think Serra would have got as much time to press against the fence or ropes either."
Agreed, though I think Lytle was the one taking it to the fence to keep from being taken down. Advantage Serra if it gets off of the cage as he has a chance to go for the takedown. Lytle wasn't winning the exchanges in the center of the cage.
I must be alone on this one but I thought Lytle won the 1st two rounds and serra won rnd 3. Just because lytles back was against the cage doesnt mean Serra is the agressor. He attempted takedowns for 2 rounds thats didnt work. While Lytle landed tons of body punches and a takedown in round 1 (that was the only sucessful offence of the 2 rounds). I thought Lytle won the 1st two rounds, fighting off the cage.