Bloody Elbow Exclusive: Lyoto Machida Talks Challengers, Title Shot
by Benjamin.Zeidler on Dec 4, 2008 9:12 PM EST
69 comments
Promoted to the front page by Luke Thomas.
Lyoto Machida has become one of the most polarizing figures in MMA today, and somehow, he's done it without opening his mouth. (Take note, Tito.) His incredible fighting ability coupled with a defensive style has stymied opponents and unnerved fans alike. He now takes a moment to address these issues among others in a Bloody Elbow exclusive. Enjoy the interview; he doesn't give many.
BZ: Did you expect to receive the title shot if Liddell had beaten Evans?
LM: As I keep winning, I will get the title shot.
BZ: But you have to be disappointed, considering you beat Tito Ortiz and Rashad didn't...
LM: Rashad Evans is a great fighter, have you checked out his record lately? He hasn't lost either. He has fought more in the UFC than I have, maybe that is why they are letting him have a shot at the title. He had a great knockout over Liddell.
BZ: Has the UFC talked to you about a title shot and what you would need to do in order to receive one?
LM: They will give me the opportunity, my time will come soon. I've been prepared for this all my life to become a champion. When the talent meets the opportunity: BOOM, new champion. I have the desire, I have the talent, I put all my efforts into this, the opportunity will come soon and I will be there READY.
BZ: Is there anyone other than Thiago Silva that you would like to face?
LM: I can face anyone. Rampage is a tough guy and some people feel he beat Forrest in their last fight and should be the champion. How do you think the fans would react if I finished Rampage when Forrest did not? But I will fight against anyone. Give me the job and I will get it done. Rampage, Couture, Liddell, Vanderlei, Shogun, I work hard to win and will keep winning. Who thought they would see Tito with his back on the floor? Tito is a Great fighter but when he faced me, Lyoto, you know the ending.
BZ: Tell us a little bit more about your training regimens.
LM: My training is very versatile. My life is training, I just make some adaptations for each opponent. They need to worry about me. Look at my past, when I finish the fight I go dinner and have some fun and the other fighters go to the hospital.
BZ: What do you say to fans who say your style is boring?
LM: Everyone has their own opinion and I really respect that. I am a martial artist, there is a lot of thought and strategy that goes into the way I fight. Give me time and in the future every one will understand my style. It is like jiu-jitsu in the beginning (UFC 1, 2, 3...), it was boring but now it is necessary. If you don’t like it, sorry. I always try to win. For some that is boring, I know, but I am beating the best in the world. After my fights I do not have nothing on my face, no scratches, no bruises. I am like a ghost they can not find me. If that is boring, that is their opinion. But I will be there for long time WINNING. Let everyone underestimate me. I will always be training ready for the next.
BZ: That's all for now. Thanks so much, Lyoto.
LM: Thanks for the opportunity to speak with you, thanks for all my American fans and my fans in Brazil. I will make you a promise that I will always give 110% in my fights. Keep watching!
* This interview was conducted via a translator.
The FanPosts are solely the subjective opinions of Bloody Elbow readers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bloody Elbow editors or staff.
18 recs |
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Rec'd
He’s just so damn humble and says all the right things. If the casuals don’t love him, the media will, for being the opposite of an attention-hungry prima donna.
After my fights I do not have nothing on my face, no scratches, no bruises. I am like a ghost they can not find me. If that is boring, that is their opinion. But I will be there for long time WINNING. Let everyone underestimate me. I will always be training ready for the next.
Sold.
by subo on Dec 4, 2008 3:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
yeah, that’s a great line. Best I have hear in a while. Hard to argue with his success.
by lbk on Dec 4, 2008 4:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I love the confidence
In regards to the line you quoted there, it immediately reminded me of something another fighter said recently after a fight that many called boring…I believe Anderson Silva said, “he couldn’t find me….” in regards to Cote during interviews following the Cote fight. Silva often employs a similar strategy to Machida in the beginning of his fights.
"Stop smiling you are about to be punched in the face !"
by Warhand on Dec 4, 2008 5:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’m changing your title. I appreciate you posting this here, but you can’t call this an Bloody Elbow exclusive without talking to us first.
by Luke Thomas on Dec 4, 2008 4:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Wouldn’t you want to promote the fact that he brought this interview he did with Machida to your site exclusively?
I’m confused by BE not wanting to draw attention to an exclusive interview of Lyoto Machida.
by Kierkegaard on Dec 4, 2008 4:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Speaking for myself...
I don’t want any interviews posted as a BloodyElbow exclusive until myself and the other editors can get some degree of confirmation that the interview actually took place. It would place us in a potentially bad spot to have something labeled with such a title if it turned out to be a faked interview.
I doubt Benjamin would fake an interview…I’m just saying that verification needs to be done on an interview of this sort before we’d take the liability risk of allowing it to be tagged as a BE exclusive. It is a CYA thing.
For me anyway…but I would assume that would be why Luke would have changed the title.
Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Dec 4, 2008 4:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Very understandable. Brent, if you’d like to confirm regarding the interview, email me and I’ll forward you the documentation. I have done over 50 interviews in my work with Sherdog and Fight! Magazine, but I understand if you need further confirmation. Thanks!
-Ben
by Benjamin.Zeidler on Dec 4, 2008 4:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Well, it’s not that simple. A) We have no proof he actually did the interview, b) until we do, we don’t want anyone associating any content with us. That’s not how things work. I know Ben, so I’m 99.9% sure he’s done the interview, but when I ask everyone already on staff for MP3’s of any interviews they do, someone in the FanPosts is no less responsible to provide content.
Our BE name is important to us. We get to decide how and when we share it and we have to be very careful how we do.
by Luke Thomas on Dec 4, 2008 4:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
So, Ben: can you email me? Thanks.
by Luke Thomas on Dec 4, 2008 4:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I didn’t want to say anything, and I don’t know Benjamin, but this interview is entirely unlike any Machida has done (he is never this confident and cocky) and I’ve personally never met a more humble mixed martial artist (which is hardly to say I know him well, but that I’ve spent some time in his company and have friends who have trained with him). Some clarification would be nice before everyone gets too excited.
by Blackout612 on Dec 4, 2008 5:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I just sent Luke confirmation. Thanks for checking up though: we do need to make sure that all interviews are verifiable.
by Benjamin.Zeidler on Dec 4, 2008 5:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Excellent
Sorry for any misunderstanding. Thanks for your contribution!
by Blackout612 on Dec 4, 2008 5:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
No problem…I’m excited that it’s unlike the interviews he typically does. It’s newsworthy, for sure, and I hope the other sites pick it up.
by Benjamin.Zeidler on Dec 4, 2008 5:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That’s what made me do a double take. I’m actually glad to see him be more confident. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s being encouraged to be more personable for the sake of his marketability. Good for him..
by Blackout612 on Dec 4, 2008 5:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Funny you should mention marketability. I had my first run in when Machida was with my friend Jeff Yates. Machida was there to train, but also to work on his English and marketability. Machida was literally on a mission to connect with the American public, so he took any and all opportunities presented to him. I set up a story he did with Fight! Magazine which was one of the first times Machida’s personality was presented to the mainstream fan. My point is that it’s been a very interesting ride for him, and that he’s working hard to get in touch with the American fans.
by Benjamin.Zeidler on Dec 4, 2008 5:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think marketability is his biggest problem, the guy is amazing in the cage. I’m really glad he isn’t trying to change his style because some fans say he’s boring.
by who me on Dec 4, 2008 6:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Completely understandable. Thanks for the clarification — like I said, it sounded like the kind of thing you’d want to promote, and I’m sure you will once you get the confirmation.
This site is the best for a reason.
by Kierkegaard on Dec 4, 2008 5:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
golly
funny how you sometimes need proof, sometimes don’t.
weird how that works.
-- I've misplaced my pants.
by garth on Dec 4, 2008 6:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
We needed proof...
prior to allowing it to be tagged as a “bloody elbow exclusive.” Interviews are a dangerous thing to post without confirmation that it actually took place.
Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Dec 4, 2008 6:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
LOL…
Luke you’re starting to sound like Zuffa!
by mmalogic on Dec 4, 2008 8:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Title
No problem, Luke. Just wanted to make sure you knew I wasn’t putting it anywhere else.
by Benjamin.Zeidler on Dec 4, 2008 4:15 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
yeah, that’s why I originally had exclusive…because it is.
by Benjamin.Zeidler on Dec 4, 2008 4:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Did you actually interviewed him or was this taken somewhere?
by cyph on Dec 4, 2008 4:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I actually interviewed him. Thanks for reading!
by Benjamin.Zeidler on Dec 4, 2008 4:41 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
The interview reads like another one I have read before.
"My job is a decision-making job, and as a result, I make a lot of decisions." --George W. Bush, The Decider, Lancaster, Pa., Oct. 3, 2007
by lovingmma25 on Dec 4, 2008 5:21 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Well..
Check the archives on Tatame, where he’s done most of his english translated interviews. This truly is more confident than he’s ever been openly. He usually brushes away allusions to his title credentials and never really gloats of his past victories.
by Blackout612 on Dec 4, 2008 5:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Huh? Read above
That’s no longer what’s being discussed. I’m saying he’s taken a different approach to interviews.
by Blackout612 on Dec 4, 2008 5:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Ok, well that’s not really clear at all from where I posted. Which is why I said something.
by Luke Thomas on Dec 4, 2008 5:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I figured as much when it got promoted and read a few other things above. Thanks though..
by Blackout612 on Dec 4, 2008 6:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
LOL!
Sorry, I thought all the comments on this were hilarious, just piling on.
by dualdiagnosis on Dec 4, 2008 9:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm Speechless...
Wow dude… did you not read the comments before posting?
by midwestbred on Dec 4, 2008 6:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks for sharing Ben… good read. Hope to see more.
by Nick Thomas on Dec 4, 2008 6:34 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Great interview
People assume Lyoto has a sterile personality because he doesn’t get much opportunity to express himself, but anyone who has been following his career since the early days knows he has a certain kind of swagger. He is very respectful to his opponents, but I think he enjoys sticking it to his critics. Only a confident fighter would walk out wearing this shirt:
by smoogy on Dec 4, 2008 8:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Nice get!
Rec’d for scoring an awesome interview (through a translator, no less!) and sharing it with us.
"It's like a flying knuckle sandwich." --Rogan
"And many men have eaten it." -- Goldy
by thetakeover on Dec 4, 2008 8:37 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Nice little interview. I like how Machida does his thing.
by Mike Fagan on Dec 4, 2008 8:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
he should change his nickname to “the ghost.”
by Michael Rome on Dec 4, 2008 9:28 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Kelly Pavlik is known as "The Ghost"
"Stop smiling you are about to be punched in the face !"
by Warhand on Dec 5, 2008 1:46 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Because he’s so elusive or because so many people don’t see him?
by subo on Dec 5, 2008 8:41 AM EST up reply actions 3 recs
Also rec’d for being the only post in 57 with the word “elusive” in it.
by iiowyn on Dec 5, 2008 10:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It’s good to see a blog where people actually know their mma. Nice interview. I was getting sick of all the Machida bashing on other websites. I saw the dude fight live at 76 and was extremely impressed. I don’t believe anyone at 205 can touch him.
by Josh H. on Dec 4, 2008 11:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I hereby declare today, Thursday, December 4th 2008..
Official Lyoto Machida Day.
(..in Minneapolis)
by Blackout612 on Dec 4, 2008 11:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Mr. Ventura, you really have to stop
You’re not governor anymore. I’m sorry.
by subo on Dec 5, 2008 8:41 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Strange interview
I don’t know Mr. Zeidler and as such I do not want to disparage him. But this is the very first interview by Lyoto that has this tone to it. Very very strange. He has NEVER been this confident or defiant. If this truly is legit, it marks a huge swing in his attitude. Kind of a landmark interview.
by Nick Travaglini on Dec 4, 2008 11:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Machida has always been confident. Hell just look at the shirt in the picture posted a little bit above you. Or listen to him talk about Tito’s triangle attempt.
by George Lucas on Dec 5, 2008 1:33 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Perhaps Lyoto is figuring out that marketability thing. And hell, the dude has a lot to be confident about and really, can you even be a top end fighter without having a huge ego?
by toxic on Dec 4, 2008 11:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Bingo. He’s got to be able to market himself before others can do it for him.
by Benjamin.Zeidler on Dec 4, 2008 11:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Of course you can! In fact the real top fighters are extremely humble, and humility and ego don’t exactly go hand in hand. But they also don’t have false humility, and there’s a big difference in that. Great fighters should be humble, but honest about the fact that they are talented. Machida has a lot to be confident about. I think that GSP is a good example. He’s confident, he knows that he’s capable of beating anyone, but he has no ego about it. Ego is false strength. It’s trying to sound better than you are.
by Dooda on Dec 5, 2008 3:13 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
that’s about as eloquent as you can put it. well said, sir!
by Headkick on Dec 5, 2008 2:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks for the interview. I love watching Machida fight. Good stuff.
by pud333 on Dec 5, 2008 12:03 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
he really looks like Ryu from Street Fighter..
http://weoweoweo.deviantart.com/
by Anton Tabuena on Dec 5, 2008 1:49 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
This interview was a little weird, but there isn’t much to compare it to.
by Dooda on Dec 5, 2008 3:13 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
You can be humble and have a big ego… what I meant was these guys view themselves as being the best in the world, and they want to be the best in the world. That’s why they work as hard as they do.
by toxic on Dec 5, 2008 11:36 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Then maybe you’ve confused ego with confidence and ambition and focus. They are different things but I see what you’re getting at. I think I’m going off of the whole Ekhart Tolle definition, while you’re talking about the whole “bigger than life persona” type definition.
by Dooda on Dec 5, 2008 1:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
ego
Appropriate pride in oneself; self-esteem.
by Richard Wade on Dec 5, 2008 2:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
hey, mmamania posted a quote from this interview. grats dude. thanks again for the great interview. :)
http://weoweoweo.deviantart.com/
by Anton Tabuena on Dec 5, 2008 12:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
i watched the machida tito fight again.. Its really funny to see how in between rounds tito just says “he’s just keeps on running!”, But every round when he says that, his face looks worse and worse..
I never knew running could inflict that much damage to one’s face. :)
http://weoweoweo.deviantart.com/
by Anton Tabuena on Dec 5, 2008 12:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
machida
Ive said from the first time i seen him fight i thought he would be a champion. People say he hasn’t fought anyone yet. Well obviously they do not no there mma hes beat the best fighters out there.Hes only now getting his recontion.
Larry Smalling
by red-dog on Dec 5, 2008 4:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Machida Style is very well thought out
Machida to me is a true martial artists, more so than a sport fighter. In real life you want to not get hit in a fight since that shot might take you down or distract you until ur opponents partner can come up from behind you and take you out. I see this as his style, to stay away or on the outside of his opponent not let them hit him. Nothing wrong with that, very stategic and fustrating to his opponents.
He is very precise in his striking quick with solid power and has good submitions, look what he did to sokoju kept working subs on the ground while sokoju, who by the way i like also, could not do much.
I have a good feeling about this guy and how he can be successful with this style if fans dont like it then that is a different opinion all together.
by havocmcb on Dec 8, 2008 4:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Overrated...
Granted Machida is an awesome fighter, sometimes I fee like Machida is too overrated, imo.
MissRARA
Co-founder/Director of Marketing & PR
IMMAE - International MMA Expo
Company site: www.immae.tv
Personal site: www.missrara.com
by MissRARA on Jan 3, 2009 3:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
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