Snapshot of the Day: Tito's Triangle

by Nate Wilcox on May 26, 2008 10:22 AM EDT

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So close yet so far. The upside is that’s the closest anyone has ever come to stopping Machida. That has to count for something.

by Luke Thomas on May 26, 2008 11:08 AM EDT reply actions

yes indeed

Tito might have pointed the way to solving the mystery of Machida. At least his performance offered a couple of tantalizing clues—dirty boxing and attacks from the guard. Penn’s fight against Machida also showed that Lyoto is less than invulnerable in the clinch.
The problem is getting him there.
I also think the sheer drama of Tito ALMOST busting out with a miracle win at the last possible instant shows the greatness of MMA. No other sport is so unpredictable. In no other game can you relentlessly dominate for the entirety of the fight, and yet let your guard down for just a few seconds and you can lose.

by Nate Wilcox on May 26, 2008 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions

Do you think Machida is weak in the guard or do you think he was 100% unprepared for Tito possessing a guard?

by Simco on May 26, 2008 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions

hard to say

We haven’t seen Machida against a really top notch BJJer who’s good off their back yet.
Wanderlei Silva might very well hold the keys to beating Machida. Little Nog might be even more of a threat to Machida. When ARE they going to sign Little Nog?

by Nate Wilcox on May 26, 2008 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions

“So close yet so far”

exactly. I really don’t understand all the complaining about this fight. 2 rounds of excellent game plan execution and a very thrilling 3rd round, imo.

I like Tito and Machida. I picked Tito to win. I really wanted Machida to win. I found myself going crazy at the knee, then jumping up and yelling when Tito ALMOST did it. What more could you want?

"They said you was hung!!"

"And they was RIGHT!"

by BJJDenver on May 26, 2008 12:06 PM EDT reply actions

The 2 other photos at the Sun are also very cool. Jardine and Penn/Sherk.

by pr0cs on May 26, 2008 12:07 PM EDT reply actions

by mythbuster on May 26, 2008 12:12 PM EDT reply actions

looks like he never had it

I’m probably wrong, but it looks like Machida’s right shoulder was always a little bit outside the hold.

by Nate Wilcox on May 26, 2008 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree. I think that’s why Tito tried to transition to the Arm bar, but he really didn’t have that too considering how how Machida kept his elbow bent. Still, what a thriller of an ending. When Machida dropped Tito with that great knee, I was jumping and hollering for the finish. Then Tito pulls off that sub attempt and I was still screaming, except it was, “Oh shit! Oh shit! Oh shit!” First and third rounds were amazing. I wish it had been a five round fight!

Tito’s game hasn’t evolved as fast as MMA in general, and in ways I think he’s being left behind as a result of that, but he’s a vet, he’s a stud, and tha last move just proves it.

by pud333 on May 26, 2008 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions