UFC 104 Preview: How Mauricio "Shogun" Rua Could Beat Lyoto Machida
by Kid Nate on Oct 18, 2009 11:29 PM EDT
in MMA News
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At least this is how UFC.com says it can be done:
...Machida has a very awkward style, as far as MMA is concerned. He stands almost sideways, in a traditional Karate stance, with his weight well past his center point and his upper body noticeably leaning back. That is all designed to make him difficult to hit, not so much to place him in the proper position from which to attack.
Machida, who has explosive quickness, uses quick jab steps and sudden shoulder movements to feint an attack, and he does it early and often in the first round. Those feints put his opponent on the defensive because he is thinking about defending an incoming strike, rather than attacking. From there, he will throw the occasional lead high kick on the end of one of those jab steps or he may sprint in briefly with piston-like punches. Neither is overly dangerous-neither is meant to be, either.
All of that is designed to accomplish two goals: set up his bread and butter attack, which is leading with a kick to the body followed immediately by a short straight left, and force his opponent into tentative one-strike attacks that he can counter. Machida caught Evans with that kick-punch combination and dropped him. It wasn't the force of the blow that led to the knockdown, rather the fact that Evans' attention was wholly focused on defending the kick to the body.
The best way to avoid eating into that left hand is to be prepared to step in, though outside of Machida's right foot, with a right hand down the middle as soon as Machida lifts his back leg to throw a kick off of his jab step. By stepping in with a right hand, Shogun will close the distance, effectively neutralizing the body kick or high kick, if the champion is mixing it up. Evans did that once late in the first round and it led to a tie-up, something Shogun, with his savage Muay Thai skills, would welcome with open arms.
More importantly, though, Shogun must not sit back and allow Machida to set the pace of the fight. He cannot allow the champion to dictate his action with feints. Instead, Shogun needs to fly out of his corner like he did against Quinton "Rampage" Jackson in their PRIDE bout and attack with something crazy-a flying knee, a blitz of punches, whatever.
We've been discussing this quite a bit already and I must say this is as good a case as I've seen made for the challenger.
Shogun spoke to MMA Weekly and gave a hint that he understands at least theoretically that he is going to be between a rock and a hard place when it comes to breaking down Machida's timing:
"Most of the guys that fought Lyoto... found a problem with patience, with finding the right moment to attack, or to counter-strike him. Some guys try to rush it too much; some guys try to stay too patient, (and) they start to get nervous because of that. ...I think the key is the timing of the fight, to get the feeling of when to engage and when to counter-strike him. This is likely the key, to find the pace and the rhythm, mostly the timing of the strikes to be able to connect and to make it a fight. For sure, I'm going to concentrate on that and develop a good strategy."
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The thing about Shogun is that he’s unpredictable, and this will be a problem for the Dragon.
SHOGUN WILL SLAY THE DRAGON!!!
SHOGUN TO BE THE NEW LHW CHAMP!!!
Today I got some time what Shogun fights do you recommend i watch?
by AfroSamurai on Oct 18, 2009 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions
watch
Rampage, arona, nogueira, nakamura
Follow me on Twitter @KidNate
by Kid Nate on Oct 18, 2009 11:44 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Randleman plus Shogun vs Overeem II if you want to see Shogun fighting in unified rules before the knee injuries. You could also re-watch the Forrest fight, even though he lost and this is one of the reasons Shogun really gets slack for, Forrest didn’t really dominate that fight, and Shogun had his moments (yeah I know, besides getting submitted :P)
SHOGUN WILL SLAY THE DRAGON!!!
SHOGUN TO BE THE NEW LHW CHAMP!!!
yeah
if you can only watch one, definitely the Lil’ Nog vs Shogun, if time for more follow Kid Nate’s list!
SHOGUN WILL SLAY THE DRAGON!!!
SHOGUN TO BE THE NEW LHW CHAMP!!!
For Some Reason...
Shogun needs to fly out of his corner like he did against Quinton “Rampage” Jackson in their PRIDE bout and attack with something crazy-a flying knee, a blitz of punches, whatever.
I don’t think that Shogun needs to fly out do anything because Lyoto is to perceptive and have a feeling he will end up like Arlovski… But maybe the blitz of punches and “whatever” the author spoke about will help :/
All these plans of attack that writers are coming up with sound good in theory but I’m afraid they will be much harder to execute…
yeah
but the element of surprise is always a great one if used wisely. I’m pretty confident that Shogun will be cautious not to do anything too telegraphed.
SHOGUN WILL SLAY THE DRAGON!!!
SHOGUN TO BE THE NEW LHW CHAMP!!!
the way Shogun came out against Page, that was surprising to Page. Watch it and you’ll know what I mean.
SHOGUN WILL SLAY THE DRAGON!!!
SHOGUN TO BE THE NEW LHW CHAMP!!!
Shogun won’t do it anyway, no way in hell he wastes all his chances on a gamble like this.
You don't look like a Tanaka.
I don't think he'd do it either
but I don’t think it would be a gamble, if he chooses to do it he’ll likely have done it in trainning a few times against a Karate fighter to see reactions (I know it’s not the same as doing it against Machida, but still).
SHOGUN WILL SLAY THE DRAGON!!!
SHOGUN TO BE THE NEW LHW CHAMP!!!
with something crazy-a flying knee, a blitz of punches, whatever.
It’s a gamble because the chances of machida getting caught EARLY by something wide and furious are very thin considering his fighting style.
You don't look like a Tanaka.
Shogun will get completely owned if he used that strategy. It’ll be a monumental fail.
Follow me on Twitter @lelandroling
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
by Leland Roling on Oct 18, 2009 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions
This is def. the case with Machida. It has got to be near impossible right now to find soemone to spar with who has the timing and distance of Machida. You can’t plan for it. He just makes people uncomfortable in there because of it.
"I want to tell me what you see, let's go ahead and see by the fight what you saw, in the ring"
Shogun's best chance
Lyoto trips on the way to the octagon and breaks both legs.
Machida is untouchable on the feet. Shogun isn’t particularly accurate and often throws caution to the wind, exactly the type of fighter Machida destroys.
//Shogun will close the distance//
He will? Just like all the other sloppy ass fighters that did it against Machida?
//effectively neutralizing the body kick or high kick, if the champion is mixing it up. Evans did that once late in the first round and it led to a tie-up, something Shogun, with his savage Muay Thai skills, would welcome with open arms.//
Wow, 1 time Evans didn’t get nuked in the clinch. Also have you seen Machida’s clinch? The man has the nastiest inside game in the world.
Mauricio "Shogun" Rua Could Beat Lyoto Machida
Also monkeys COULD fly out of my butt.
Hmmm…. makes sense. Another fighter that’s going to fight the way that Machida wants to fight. The only time we’ve seen him in trouble was against Tito, and it looked like wrestling could be his only flaw.
I’m pretty sure this “patience” game-planning, and “closing the distance” is exactly what Machida wants.
Spinning out solid gold, like Rumpelstiltskin.
Machida in trouble vs Tito? Tito almost secured a triangle only after Machida knocked him down with a knee to the liver. I’m not even certain Tito got a takedown or was able to even lock him up. I know Machida took Tito down.
"I want to tell me what you see, let's go ahead and see by the fight what you saw, in the ring"
he outwrestled Tito
the trouble he found himself in was because he wasn’t expecting Tito (and NOBODY else was either) to try for a freaking submission. It’s just my opinion, but I think if he’d been fighting a guy that was known to be dangerous off his back, he wouldn’t have gotten caught.
Machida made a mistake, that’s all. It’s not about expectations, he got sloppy for a second and Tito capitalized on it…
Machida got clipped by Nakamura right on the kisser not because he wasn’t expecting a punch from Judoka…
…he’s not stupid…
by dancingChicken on Oct 19, 2009 3:34 AM EDT up reply actions
“… he’s not stupid…”
I’m not sure what you mean. I didn’t imply that he was stupid. Unless you’re implying that my thinking he wasn’t expecting a triangle from Tito means he’s stupid?
Yes he got sloppy for a second, but he could’ve let his guard down because, given Tito’s track record, he had no expectation of a sub attempt, and felt he was in no danger in the top position. I don’t find the Nakamura example analogous.
One of the reasons Machida’s defense is almost impregnable is because he’s cautious. He knows that assumption is mother of all fuck ups. I bet that he expects EVERYTHING, but he’s just a human and makes mistakes.
And yes, it’s stupid to assume that you don’t have to worry about submissions just because someone isn’t known for his ground game. There were a lot of situations when high level black belt was submited by purple belt, because he thought that he’s untouchable on the ground.
It’s like being a world class driver and nor worrying about car crashes.
by dancingChicken on Oct 19, 2009 5:18 AM EDT up reply actions
Every fighter makes assumptions. Game plans are designed around them.
We have stated our opinions, but let’s not endlessly debate what are in essence, our own assumptions.
The part about assumptions is a loose quote from Guy Ritchie’s movie.
I’m not denying assumptions, but going into a fight and assuming that you don’t have to worry about this and that IS “mother of all fuck ups”, that’s what I meant…
…but I’m glad that your rhetorics works well…
by dancingChicken on Oct 19, 2009 6:05 AM EDT up reply actions
Brilliant Strategy!
Hey, here’s a good idea….
Let’s come out in the media, list off all sorts of dumb strategies that play RIGHT INTO MACHIDA’s style, and then get completely crushed in the actual fight. Then… we all have weeks of evidence in which we can make fun of you for being an idiot in the strategy department.
Shogun needs to just shut up about his gameplan. And he needs to figure out how to get this to the ground. Timing and patience is great and all, but he needs to use it to clinch and gain the takedown, not strike. He’s going to get completely outclassed in a point fighting fight.
Follow me on Twitter @lelandroling
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
ELUSIVE PUNCH SHOGUN WILL GIVE
Machida is going to get caught and very well dominated with ground and pound… Shogun has a such a bad a unorthodox style…
Machida is not all of a great fighter he really sucks a and SHOGUN will prove this…
WAR SHOGUN MF!!!!
N1SHOGUNRUAFAN
by N1SHOGUNRUAFAN on Oct 18, 2009 12:42 PM EDT reply actions
Ok Rashad…
Machida is second, behind only Silva, when it comes to striking. The only place Shogun can conceivably win this fight is on the mat.
Don't argue for the sake of arguing....
by Screwface on Oct 18, 2009 12:48 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Oh and could somebody flag him for fighter bashing? I’m on my phone and can’t.
Don't argue for the sake of arguing....
by Screwface on Oct 18, 2009 12:52 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I think the end of his article kinda ruins everything.
Shogun needs to fly out of his corner like he did against Quinton “Rampage” Jackson in their PRIDE bout and attack with something crazy-a flying knee, a blitz of punches, whatever.
Ask AA how crazy a flying can get. Ask wanderlei about a blitz of punches. Machida counters, he is craving for your mistakes. And you tell the dude to rush it early like it’s safer than rushing late, or like it will surprise machida :/.
You don't look like a Tanaka.
now boarding machida nut huggers......
a little than a year ago you people hated machida, now he is this and that. some one will figure him out. shogun has punchers chance. tito showed he could fall in a submission. person thats beat machida is a wrestler with vicious ground and pound..that doesn’t mind eating a few hards hits when he shoots in for the double leg takedown. and that guy is tito. watch 2010 it will happen
When was the last time Tito has beaten someone?
by dancingChicken on Oct 18, 2009 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions
October 10, 2006
Ken Shamrock. Actually his last 2 wins are against Ken Shamrock, there’s something to hang your hat on.
Walla walla walla I'm an idiot.
To be fair, Tito put on a performance that, in hindsight, was actually pretty good. Relatively speaking. He didn’t get KO’d, is what I mean.
Except he got dominated bell-to-bell, save the last minute or whatever. He got completely shut out in the first round.
Twitter: @Mike_Fagan_13
http://www.sackmikegoldberg.com
Yeah, some of us have been on his nuts forevers.
Twitter: @Mike_Fagan_13
http://www.sackmikegoldberg.com
It would be GREAT
to see SHOGUN switch up his stants and throw off the DRAG, this would be great the SHOGUN can throw is unorthodox punchs and kicks and flatin the machida then finish him off with a leg lock…
But you know this will not happen…
HOWEVER SHOGUN WILL PREVAIL AS THE LHWC…
WAR SHOGUN…
N1SHOGUNRUAFAN
by N1SHOGUNRUAFAN on Oct 18, 2009 12:47 PM EDT reply actions
ORCUS?
Did you get drunk and make another account?
"Never underestimate the predictability of stupidity." - Bullet Tooth Tony
@deowade
it's not me
I don’t fighter bash… (I think at least)
SHOGUN WILL SLAY THE DRAGON!!!
SHOGUN TO BE THE NEW LHW CHAMP!!!
not under the name of orcus, you don't ;)
jk man
You’re a cool guy, and I feel bad about the anguish you will feel when Machida crushes your dreams on the 24th :(
For reals Shogun plan
Shogun should try to drag the fight into the 4th and 5th round at all costs. That’s something that’s plausible. We’ve never seen Machida in the late rounds, so maybe he gets tired and sloppy 22 minutes into a fight.
Shogun is going to have to fight someone in their prime on Saturday, not someone who is a shell of their former self like his last two opponents.
KO’ing Chuck doesnt mean shit anymore, in fact Chuck had him on his back and let him up. Machida won’t make stupid mistakes like that looking for a highlight reel.
Plus the Chuck fght gave no indication to if he improved his cardio. If he shows up like he did in the Forrest or Coleman fight Lyoto will murder him
"He's got a great package and it's an unusual one." - Joe Rogan on Lyoto Machida @ UFC 94.
Didn’t we all here this stuff about Rashad too? Too fast, too powerful, too elusive? I recall a lot of people here saying Machida didn’t have a chance etc. The reason you should NEVER make bold claims about a fight is anything can happen to anyone.
Making crazy wild claims only makes you look like a fanboy and if you fighter does lose, then you look foolish too. I think making a case for you fighter to win or how he should go about winning is great. However I see more and more senseless rants that belong on other blogs.
I made a list
Some of the ridiculous things Rashad huggers/Machida haters said before UFC 98:
- Evans is faster/quicker/more explosive and has KO power
- Evans has a great chin
- Evans has superior wrestling skills to mix it up/tire Machida
- Evans was supposed to lose to Griffin/Liddell, but won
- Evans requires/loses a couple of rounds to get down timing, then wins
- Evans looked great recently against Griffin/Liddell
- Liddell landed nothing while Rashad bloodied Liddell’s face by Round 1
- Liddell was a quality win because he hits hard and has great range
- Evans has beaten top LHWs, Machida hasn’t
- Machida’s only impressive win was against Franklin
- Most of Machida’s dominant/decisive wins were by decision against inferior opponents, which aren’t impressive
- Having mostly unimpressive wins does not make Machida unstoppable
- Machida is human; therefore he can be caught and possibly defeated
- Machida leaves his chin exposed; fighters will exploit it as done to Liddell
- If the fight is undecisive, the winner should be the current champion, Evans
Don’t make the same mistakes here, Shogunistas.
by Flying Gogoplata on Oct 18, 2009 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions
this is a real book, I recommend it...
SHOGUN WILL SLAY THE DRAGON!!!
SHOGUN TO BE THE NEW LHW CHAMP!!!
Not sure what you’re getting at, but those were what other people have claimed about Evans and Machida prior to UFC 98.
by Flying Gogoplata on Oct 18, 2009 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions
//Don’t make the same mistakes here, Shogunistas.
My point is, since fans of fighter A (Rashad) were listing a various amount of ways they thought their fighter was going to win against fighter B (Machida), but fighter A lost to fighter B, than fighter C will sorely lose as well since it’s fans are also giving listing some ways for that to happen? You don’t see the fallacy?
SHOGUN WILL SLAY THE DRAGON!!!
SHOGUN TO BE THE NEW LHW CHAMP!!!
No, I’m saying Shogun fans should not be making certain deluded claims about Shogun’s current capabilities and chances against Machida, because it can (and probably will) backfire and make you look stupid.
Examples:
“Machida is going to get caught and very well dominated with ground and pound… Shogun has a such a bad a unorthodox style…”
“Machida is not all of a great fighter he really sucks a and SHOGUN will prove this…”
by Flying Gogoplata on Oct 18, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Anything can happen in MMA, and I’m confident that Shogun can beat Machida. If he loses and embarrasses himself in the same fashion Forrest did to Silva, it doesn’t matter, I will stand by my picks. It doesn’t make one look stupid, only if you take these things very seriously (which I don’t). It’s good to have someone you cheer for, it is what makes this sport exciting, if everything had a certain outcome, than why would I want to watch it? Sure, Machida might win, but I’m pulling for Shogun cause I’m a big fan. If he loses oh well, if he wins great, stupidity aside of course :P
SHOGUN WILL SLAY THE DRAGON!!!
SHOGUN TO BE THE NEW LHW CHAMP!!!
Running in and attack will not work...
If he runs at Machida like a bull, one of two things will happen:
1. He’ll eat a punch or kick himself before he gets there.
2. He’ll miss.
Machida trains for that, that’s what karate is all about, and a lot of his biggest moments in the sport are when people try it and he knocks them silly.
by Machida Hadouken on Oct 18, 2009 3:03 PM EDT reply actions
How Shogun Can Win:
(Yes, I know how bad I am with Phoshopping images)
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on Oct 18, 2009 3:26 PM EDT reply actions 4 recs
This picture taken after the 17th consecutive needle poke the puppet has eluded.
A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.
by iiowyn on Oct 18, 2009 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions 6 recs
This will be a very exciting fight to watch. Sure, machida will barely get scratched but you know shogun is gonna throw down at his customary brake neck pace. We’ll definetly see more new stuff from machida. shogun wont stand there and let him land his signture roundhouse to the body followed by the straight left. The best advice was to counter it as soon as he sees machida go for the kick. Of course, machida uses so many foot faints that he will prob draw in shogun a few times before he actually goes for the kick punch combo.
Machida has such a fast side step I just dont think shogun has the range to reach him. Plus, machida should have a nice size/strength advanage. It will be fun while lasts . I’m thinkin almost 3 full rounds
I think Shogun wins in the size/strength side, Machida on the speed.
SHOGUN WILL SLAY THE DRAGON!!!
SHOGUN TO BE THE NEW LHW CHAMP!!!
In the world of kung fu, speed defines the winner
A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.
by iiowyn on Oct 18, 2009 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Only because the rabbit was retarded in that story...
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on Oct 18, 2009 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions
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