Eddiva admits surprise over split decision loss to Makashvili

MANILA, Philippines – Before a Filipino crowd relentlessly cheering on him through 3 full rounds, Mark Eddiva failed to claim what could have been his second UFC victory as he succumbed to Georgian Levan Makashvili.

The 26-year old Makashvili (7-1) prevailed by split decision during UFC Fight Night 66 on Saturday, May 16 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay. 

Team Lakay’s Eddiva (6-2), a homegrown talent from Baguio City, bared he felt he had the first two rounds in the bag, and was surprised with the judges’ decision. 

“At some point, especially the first two rounds, alam ko talaga lamang ako doon,” he said following the fight. “Pero nung third round, alam ko lamang siya sa wrestling. Kaya ang alam ko ako pa rin ang nanalo kasi ang alam ko I won the first two rounds.” 

(At some point, especially the first two rounds, I knew I had the advantage. But in the third round, I knew he had the edge in wrestling. I thought I was still the winner because I thought I won the first two rounds.) 

The judges scored the fight 29-28, 28-29, 30-27, with only the second round going to the 29-year old Eddiva.

.@MarkEddiva admits he was overwhelmed by Makashvili’s takedowns & the loss was a lesson learned #UFCManila pic.twitter.com/jPwj2GLGIm

— Jane Bracher (@janebracher) May 16, 2015

The Filipino featherweight did not deny he was less than prepared for this fight, as his foe was switched at the last minute from the left-handed Alex White to the orthodox Makashvili. 

“I had to adjust my game plan. I think that affected my fight tonight,” he explained. “From fighting left-handed to a right-handed wrestler. I think I did not have enough time to prepare for a wrestler because I really prepared for a striking fighter like Alex White.”

(WATCH: Filipino UFC fighter Mark Eddiva’s top 5 winning moments)

Eddiva, who looked like the dominant fighter with his energy to start his Manila fight, says he was caught off guard by Makashvili’s wrestling. He ultimately was unable to make the necessary adjustments.

“Medyo na-overwhelm ako kasi hindi ko inexpect na dadamihan niya yung wrestling kasi kung papanoorin niya yung fights niya more on striking siya. So yun yung hindi ko gaanong napaghandaan,” Eddiva took responsibility for his unpreparedness. 

(I was a little overwhelmed because I did not expect that he would use more wrestling, because when you watch his fights he’s more of a striker. So I was not able to prepare well for that.) 

“The game plan was to kill his legs so he can’t wrestle, it weakens his wrestling. That’s why I kept on kicking his legs.”

“Ang talagang inexpect ko is makikipag-striking siya sa akin. Hindi ko inexpect yung plan niya,” he added. (And I really expected him to engage in striking with me. I did not expect his plan.)

Regardless, Eddiva, who made his UFC debut in March 2014, chalks everything to experience. He intends to work on his wrestling some more.

“It’s okay. It’s a lesson learned again. We have a split decision. That gave me a lesson to improve my wrestling, defense and also offense.” – Rappler.com