How far back has the "instant rematch" been a thing and is it right?

[Jagan Eye]

First significant instant rematch I can think of was Shogun-Machida 1 where imo it was totally justified as most people, media outlets, and pundits saw Shogun winning by a clear margin so it was a "robbery" by the general consensus. Next one I can remember was BJ and Frankie.

Can we just discuss "immediate rematches"? For whatever reason don't remember them happening every other championship or big fight back in the day? My memory can't be that bad can it? Is it bad for the sport? Good?

 

[trident]

There is a time for them, but their use has been tormented.

 

[zephid]

An instant rematch is almost never warranted. If I had to pick a situation in which I think a rematch is a good idea it would have to be when a long time champion loses a really, really close decision.

 

[tat2man5k]

I love Shogun, but even he shouldn't have gotten one. He should work his way back up, IMO. He didn't BEAT the champ. I don't care what the circumstances are, they should always have to get back in line.

 

[CJohnny]

TJ vs Barao. Jones vs Gus.

 

[tenniswhiz]

They should just ban the practice.

It messes up other fighters' careers too.
Arlovski had 3 Top 10 wins in a row and deserved the shot against Werdum. Instead they grant Cain the rematch, Arlovski gets a dangerous fight and loses, and Cain gets hurt.
How badly was Arlovski screwed?
I can think of other cases of if messing up a division too.

 

[SocraticMethod]

AA got one after losing the title to Big Tim.

 

[TheMadHatter]

mcgregor vs diaz imo. mcgregor was supposed to win this one so he deserves the rematch. nate only had 10 days notice for the fight, so no way mcgregor should have lost.

 

[brickhands]

shogun machida deserved one maybe penn edgar

 

[The Schmoop]

The only two that felt were warranted were Shogun/Machida I and Couture/Belfort when Vitor's glove sliced Randys eyelid (although I don't recall if Randy got an immediate rematch I'm pretty sure he did). There are circumstances where they're appropriate but theyre very rare.

 

[Paradigm]

TJ vs Barao. Jones vs Gus.

Lol...pretty sure it goes back further than that.

 

[Emjay]

Really close championship fights
Long reigning champion loses
"Big money" fights

All warrant insta-rematches imo

And sometimes, there's just not enough "heat" on the next contender or he/she just got popped for PEDs or someone gets hurt, is filming a movies or gets arrested, or kidnapped so that can fuck up the rotation.

 

[Bend NvR Break]

Frankie messed up immediate rematches for everyone

 

[Thesnake101]

Instant rematches aren't bad, it just depends on the situation. For example: the Shogun/Machida and the Edgar/Henderson instant rematches weren't bad since both decisions were controversial. But now, the UFC is turning into an instant rematch galore.

 

[CJohnny]

Lol...pretty sure it goes back further than that.

Don't remember people getting pissed because of a rematch before that. Maybe Edgar vs Benson

 

[Rex Kwon Do]

Ken got a pointless instant rematch with Tito.

 

[tenniswhiz]

Frankie messed up immediate rematches for everyone

He had to give one to BJ.

Then he fought twice in a row against Maynard.
Personally, I thought he lost that first round 10-2 and deserved to lose the championship.

 

[tenniswhiz]

Ken got a pointless instant rematch with Tito.

Yea, but he destroyed Tito in the rematch.
I'm just kidding...

 

[thekartesian]

I think the UFC justifies its practice of this by the sheer amount of shows they put on. What matters is what fills the cards and to replicate the same gate/ppv buys. The "title picture" will sort itself out eventually, they don't care about fighter's individual careers. Come on now.

 

[changospank]

do your research and you will see it hasn't ended well for the person who lost the first time.