The fans booed Rashad Evans after his unaminous decision victory over Rampage Jackson at UFC 114.  Usually when a crowd boos a decision it’s because they disagree with the judges. The boos that resulted from Rampage’s  loss were born from frustration that the more popular fighter had failed. Rashad won convincingly, leaving the majority of fans to wonder – along with Rampage himself – WTF just happened.

What happened is that Evans used his speed intelligently, moving in to strike then moving out before he could get hit – similar in substance if not in style to Machida. Evans worked his takedowns and maintained a fast pace that began to fatigue his opponent. He owned the first two rounds without a question.

Yet Rampage came extremely close to winning the fight in the third round. Evans crumpled under the force of a powerful right. Rampage followed him to the floor and delivered four straight unanswered and undefended blows before Evans regained his composure enough to assume something resembling defense. Rampage was probably just a blow or two away from having the fight called in his favor before the recovery.

Somehow Evans weathered the assault, although he was still wobbly when he got to his feet. Why Rampage didn’t charge in to finish is a question he’s probably asking himself today – one that will probably continue to haunt him until his next fight. Rampage looked like he was going to win at least the third round but he let Evans recover enough that the wrestler was able to score enough points to still win the third round.

Ring rust happens. Rampage has had a lengthy break thanks to jaw surgery and his role in the movie version of the A-Team.  A fighter’s cardio is never as good as it should be his first fight back. Or so it seems. But we're all looking forward to the rematch. He may have lost the fight but the boos show that he still maintained the support of his fans.