Why did Machida come out BEFORE Rampage last night?
 

Not to take anything away from the results and opinions of Rampage vs. Machida (and not to turn this into yet another debate about who should have won or why---there's enough threads for that) but does anyone know why Machida walked into the octagon before Rampage considering Machida was the most recent LHW champ with only 1 loss prior?

I was under the impression that the order of entering the octagon was based on your contender ranking but apparently that wasn't the case. Not a huge deal but I'd like to know how that process is supposed to work nonetheless.

I'm not aware if there is an actual process for entering the ring in non title fights, but I always assumed the last one to enter was the most recognized. Especially in main event or co main event fights. But I could be wrong.

For that matter, why was the fight placed after Penn and Hughes? BJ and Matt are more decorated fighters than either rampage or Machida, and are just as big of a draw.

There was really no reason for Penn and Hughes to fight first.

rh

My reasoning for Penn/Hughes to be placed before Machida/Page is proximity to title shot, with Page/Machida being a fight closer than Penn/Hughes. Soti/Lauzon sort of messes up my theory but Lauzon is nowhere near a shot IMO.

As for Page coming out second...in lieu of a champion, I would assume they go for the hometown fighter or crowd favourite. It doesn't really seem like an issue that really matters though.

because rampage is more popular and for some reason detroit loves him. also having the pride theme before the intros was epic maybe that had something to do with it

I actually made a comment about this while watching the ppv last night. I believe that the most recent champion should enter last in a situation like this and found it somewhat disrespectful that Rampage was given the honor of entering last.

Machida and Jackson have implications towards the title whereas Penn-Hughes was put together as a fight for the fans and the fighters but with less impact on the title situation.

I too was surprised that Machida came out first.

I wonder if Pashak wet himself during the Pride theme for Rampage?

hughes/penn went first probably because they are the lower weight classes and lhw is supposed to be the money class. As for Rampage coming out last I didn't see the odds but if he was the favorite to win that could have been why he came out second

they're both the last 2 champs to actually defend the light heavyweight belt so up until last night, i didnt think either man was any closer to a title shot than the other, but of course that feeling has changed.