Lyoto Machida vs. Thiago Silva Is an Interesting Bout for a Different Reason

by Cannon Jacques on Jan 30, 2009 3:37 PM EST in MMA News

1024_medium Unlike the headline fight between Georges St. Pierre and B.J. Penn, Silva vs. Machida isn't expected to be a clash for the ages. But there is intrigue. Is Silva the man to figure out the ever elusive but effective Machida? Dave Meltzer makes the case:

In the semifinal underneath one of the most hyped matches in mixed martial arts history, Thiago Silva’s job on Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas is solving MMA’s version of the Rubik’s Cube.

...

Several high-profile fighters have turned down matches with Machida, who owns wins over the likes of Stephan Bonnar, Rich Franklin, B.J. Penn, Tito Ortiz and Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou.

And the reasons for the rejections are unique.

Usually the hardest guys to match up are feared knockout artists, or awesome wrestlers. In Machida’s case, it’s not the fear of getting hurt or being stymied by overwhelming wrestling. It’s the feeling of needing months to prepare for his style, or simply believing it’s hard to look good, win or lose, in a fight with him.

But Machida, the son of a Shotokan karate master, sees his style, which combines his backgrounds in point karate, sumo wrestling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, as the essence of martial arts, the ability to defeat an opponent without taking much punishment.

Some contend that Machida takes elusiveness too far into the realm of avoidance. This, of course, is a matter of opinion. For all the criticisms against him, Machida made several accomplished fighters look borderline foolish. Until someone devises and executes a successful plan against him, the Brazilian's legend will only grow.

Can Thiago Silva be that opponent? Most believe he is not. However, this is the unpredictable sport of MMA, and Silva is a top ten light heavyweight. The actual fight will tell the story.

-- Photo via Combat Lifestyle

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This one interests me

because if Silva cannot figure out Machida this adds a new very dangerous contender & if he is able to solve Machida we still get a dangerous contender. I do not see Silva being patient enough to beat Machida w/o losing a decision, so I guess I am picking Machida by decision.

by dnevil001 on Jan 30, 2009 3:32 PM EST reply actions

Silva will win 2nd round TKO

by #5mmafan on Jan 30, 2009 3:35 PM EST reply actions

Silva def has an intimidating presence. Dude just looks scary.

by lbk on Jan 30, 2009 3:38 PM EST reply actions

I love both fighters but this picture perfectly shows Silva’s weakness in fighting, that thrusting out of his chin. He really does need to learn to drop and tuck that thing.

by Tommy7 on Jan 30, 2009 3:41 PM EST reply actions

lol

Branzilian like he eats lots of Kelloggs?

That photo is exactly how the fight will go – Silva attacking and not being able to tag Machida because of his weird stance. The question is – can Silva win a decision based on this strategy…it’s actually possible if he can remain aggressive for 3 rounds and not offer Machida too many openings to counter.

But no – Machida wins.

by rainmaker6 on Jan 30, 2009 3:43 PM EST reply actions

Fixed.

Yes, I screwed up, and then I missed it. Thanks for pointing it out.

by Cannon Jacques on Jan 30, 2009 3:46 PM EST up reply actions

If (and its a big if) Silva can hurt Machida he can put him away. In terms of killer instinct, Silva is the greatest threat Machida has ever faced. If Machida wins, it will be a good win for him, and if he can put Silva away he deserves a title shot.

by Ubernoober on Jan 30, 2009 3:45 PM EST reply actions

If Silva can be

“selectively aggressive” enough to keep pressure on Machida w/o receiving too much return fire he takes this IMO. If he gets overly aggressive he is done.

by dnevil001 on Jan 30, 2009 4:06 PM EST reply actions

by smoogy on Jan 30, 2009 4:29 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Making the nuts nice and easy to hug there, isn’t he? :-D

Just kidding – I too am a Machida fan. But I don’t think this is an automatic win.

by Derek Suboticki on Jan 30, 2009 4:37 PM EST up reply actions

Rec’d for awesomeness.

by iiowyn on Jan 31, 2009 12:14 AM EST up reply actions

I think it’ll take a fighter just as cerebral as Machida to beat him, and I’ve never gotten the impression that Silva’s strategy extends beyond “Punch Face!” I like Silva, but he’s not exactly a tactician.

Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett

by Scott C. Broussard on Jan 30, 2009 4:32 PM EST reply actions

Right,

but maybe he can harness some of that aggression in this fight considering a title shot is on the line?

by dnevil001 on Jan 30, 2009 4:33 PM EST up reply actions

If Silva gets Machida down and mounted he is going to stop him. His top game is so powerful from what I have seen. Tough to get that guy off you when he has position.

by lbk on Jan 30, 2009 5:29 PM EST reply actions

Can’t you say that about the vast majority of fighters? The mount is an extremely bad position for anyone to be in.

by Day Man on Jan 30, 2009 5:37 PM EST up reply actions

Unless you're Gilbert Yvel :)

by asa on Jan 30, 2009 6:38 PM EST up reply actions

My concern with Machida is all his talk about being aggressive and looking for the knockout… If he lets all this “boring” talk get to his head that will be his biggest opponent.

by mmalogic on Jan 30, 2009 5:42 PM EST reply actions