Jackson’s MMA Responds To UFC President Dana White’s Criticism

“He is a choker, he choked tonight.

“(Nate) Marquardt is such a talented guy, and what I’m seeing is stuff from the Greg Jackson camp, this camp continuously, when these guys fight, their corner is either telling them they’re ahead or they’re winning,” said UFC president Dana White after Marquardt lost by decision to Yushin Okami at UFC 122.

Dana White and Greg Jackson

“I mean, Nate Marquardt sat here tonight and said that he thought he won the fight. Where the (expletive) is his corner? You go into the last round and you’re getting outstruck by a wrestler, and you think you won the fight? And this is consistent with the Greg Jackson camp.”

White’s comments quickly divided the MMA world, many people agreeing with him, while others pointed to Jackson’s MMA as the most successful fight team in the world.

Greg Jackson’s camp, obviously, didn’t agree.

In fact, the camp decided to issue a rebuttal on Tuesday, citing numerous examples of their fighters not only winning, but earning post-fight honors and bonuses from the same UFC executive that laid down the criticism of their camp.

“We are proud of our team and our coaches and continuously strive in training and performance to represent Jackson’s Mixed Martial Arts as the premier fighting system in the world,” read a statement released Tuesday by Jackson’s MMA general manager Ricky Kottenstette.

“In the UFC alone, so far this year (2010) there have been 22 events, and our team has been honored with 12 bonuses. That means for one out of every two UFC’s you watch, our team is taking home either Knockout, Submission, or Fight of the Night honors.”

Right or wrong, White has never been one to hold his tongue when he has an opinion. Former UFC champion Randy Couture is one fighter that has been on the receiving end of White’s comments, both his praise and his stinging criticism.

“Dana’s always been that type of guy. He’s always gonna tell it exactly like he sees it,” Couture told ESPN 1100 radio recently. “To be honest, that’s why we love him, that’s why we like him. In a lot of ways he’s got a tremendous passion for our sport and he represents the uniqueness of mixed martial arts.”

Below are the statistics laid out by Jackson’s camp in defense of its fighters and coaches:

Nate Marquardt:
All stoppages in last four wins
Fight of the Night bonus at UFC 109 on Feb. 6, 2010

Joe Stevenson (last three fights with Jackson’s):
Submission of the Night
Fight of the Night
Fight of the Night (most recent at UFC 110 on Feb. 21, 2010)

Georges St. Pierre:
Retains his welterweight world title

Kyle Noke:
2-0 with 2 finishes

Jon Jones:
Finished two of the last of three opponents in the first round
Knockout of the Night at UFC LIVE on March 21, 2010

Melvin Guillard:
Undefeated since joining the team; 3-0 with 1 KO

Clay Guida:
Two submission finishes in his last three fights
Submission of the Night at UFC LIVE on March 21, 2010

Shane Carwin:
Finished four of five opponents in the first round
Knockout of the Night at UFC 111 on March 27, 2010

Ryan Jensen:
Submission of the Night at UFC 114

Rashad Evans:
Regains No. 1 contender spot for light heavyweight title

Carlos Condit (in his two fights since joining the team):
Fight of the Night at UFC 115 on June 12, 2010
Knockout of the Night at UFC 120 on Oct. 16, 2010

Keith Jardine:
Fight of the Night at The Ultimate Fighter Finale on June 19, 2010

Brian Stann (since making the transition to 185):
Fight of the Night at UFC LIVE on Aug. 1, 2010

Yoshihiro Akiyama:
Fight of the Night at UFC 120 on Oct. 16, 2010

Diego Sanchez:
Rejoined Jackson team and snapped losing streak
Fight of the Night at UFC 121 on Oct. 23, 2010

Leonard Garcia:
Fight of the Night at WEC 47 on March 6, 2010
Fight of the Night at WEC 48 on April 24, 2010
*Candidate for Fight of the Year*

Damacio Page:
Two of last three fights in the WEC were first-round finishes

Cub Swanson:
Fight of the Night at WEC 52 on Nov. 11, 2010
*Had another Fight of the Night bonus in November 2009 (just missed 2010)

Donald Cerrone:
Six of his last seven fights have been awarded Fight or Submission of the Night

Brendan Schaub:
Won two of last three fights by first-round knockout