Hatsu Hioki Thought He Inflicted More Damage Than Clay Guida, but Not Yet Asking for Rematch

One of the most hotly contested fights of UFC on Fox 6 was the bout between Clay Guida and Hatsu Hioki. Depending on who you asked, the fight could have gone either way, but was ultimately decided in favor of Guida via split decision by the evening’s judges.

Speaking to MMAWeekly.com following the fight, Hioki said of the decision, “Although I think I inflicted more damage on him, I take the loss because I understand that staying on top of an opponent scores big to a lot of judges.

“Guida was very skilled and tough. Also, he is a very respectful gentleman, so I was very honored to face him.”

In the eyes of many, Hioki worked hard enough off his back to make a case that being on the bottom doesn’t automatically mean a fighter is losing the bout. Still, Hioki knows that sometimes judges don’t see it that way.

“It would have been great if judges have me more credits for working off my back, but, again, I understand how the unified rules work so I am not to complain about anything,” he said. “Guida won the bout fair and square.”

Though Hioki is taking the loss with grace, it would be understandable if he would immediately seek a rematch with Guida, but at the moment, that is not the case.

“I cannot think of anything like that nature right now because I just fought, so I will see as a time goes by,” said Hioki.

While he’s not thinking immediately of what to do next, one thing is for sure, Hioki intends to return and do so an improved fighter because of this loss.

“The team will learn from this as that fight was a tremendous opportunity as a learning tool, so I take one step at the time to work my way back,” he said.

“I will be back!”

via Hatsu Hioki Thought He Inflicted More Damage Than Clay Guida, but Not Yet Asking for Rematch – Yahoo! Sports.