Rashad Evans vs. Lyoto Machida in May for UFC 98

We may never get to see black on black crime.. unless Lyoto beats both of them which I suppose is a possibility.

by pr0cs on Mar 11, 2009 4:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Thumbs the fuck up

I needed some good news.

by subo on Mar 11, 2009 4:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Rampage fans are gonna think this sucks especially after the smack talk at 96..

But i couldn’t care less about that trash talk.. Machida LHW Champ 09!

weoweoweo .deviantart .com

by Anton Tabuena on Mar 11, 2009 10:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Evans v. Machida

This is a more compelling match to me, even though it’s pretty obvious to joke that there may be no punches thrown in this fight.

"BJ on the BE" - Kierkegaard

by Brett Jones on Mar 11, 2009 4:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I hope rashad wins. I like machida but he has to loose eventually, and now is the right time for me \(.)/. A really deserved title shot anyway.

by spectaa on Mar 11, 2009 4:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I take this back, I don’t want to see rashad vs rampage that much, and evans needs to loose more than anyone else in the ufc XD.

by spectaa on Mar 11, 2009 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well this is the cherry on top of one F’d up day.

That's great, but how does it affect Lyoto Machida?

by beery_pbr on Mar 11, 2009 4:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i think this one is going to evans. i think his style matches up good with lyoto. evans, much like what he did against chuck, will circle around and not attack like everyone else does against lyoto. also he’s got the wrestling to be able to take him down and the power to finish him off.

should be pretty interesting and fun to watch.

by sonofapsycho on Mar 11, 2009 4:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

This is possible, but I am leaning toward Machida leg kicking the shit out of a circling Evans and hitting/moving when he shoots in.

by subo on Mar 11, 2009 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

this too is very possible indeed.

should be interesting.

by sonofapsycho on Mar 11, 2009 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree, subo.

I just don’t see Rashad penetrating Machida’s shield of strikes, and even if he does, he’s going to have difficulty taking him down.

Rashad does have game-altering power, but Machida’s not going to sit in the pocket for Evans to load up and take his head off. Machida with switch kicks and sprawls.

There is no such thing as innocence, only degrees of guilt.

by misterjonez on Mar 11, 2009 9:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jacob Ortiz repeatedly took down Rashad. Lyoto tossed Ortiz around like a beginner. Not certain Rashad will be able to consistently land on top if the fight hits the ground.

A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.

by iiowyn on Mar 11, 2009 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

rashad is much much better now than when he fought ortiz.

not saying its going to be easy at all. im saying if anyone can figure out the puzzle, it can be him.

by sonofapsycho on Mar 11, 2009 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Greg Jackson is a master and Rashad definitely has the potential.

A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.

by iiowyn on Mar 11, 2009 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What makes you think that Rashad wants any part of Machida on the ground?

He is BJJ blackbelt.

Arguing on the internet is like being in the special olympics, even when you win you are still retarded.

by dnevil001 on Mar 11, 2009 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I could actually see Machida closing the distance and taking down Rashad from the clinch. Greg Jackson’s homework just got a lot more complicated.

"Japan is half-Machida" - iiowyn

by Day Man on Mar 11, 2009 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Body locks and trips work well, but Rashad is far too defensive

for Machida to be able to depend on using trips and takedowns. Rashad and Machida are both counter-fighters, neither one presses the action, but Rashad has the ability to explode forward with deadly results, if he chooses. Most of their damage has come when opponents were coming in to them, though. This could really be a snoozer if Rashad thinks he’s going to knock Machida’s head off with a well-placed bomb. Lyoto’s just not going to feed that strategy whatsoever.

There is no such thing as innocence, only degrees of guilt.

by misterjonez on Mar 11, 2009 9:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

probably cause a bum like tito ortiz put him in a triangle.

plus he can pound him out much like he did forrest.

by sonofapsycho on Mar 11, 2009 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I seriously doubt that Jackson's gameplan for Rashad will

be for him to go to the ground willingly with a BJJ blackbelt.

Arguing on the internet is like being in the special olympics, even when you win you are still retarded.

by dnevil001 on Mar 11, 2009 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

so he should stand up with him and try to cut off the cage like everyone else has done and failed…

just because the guy is a black belt doesn’t mean he can automatically submit a guy.

by sonofapsycho on Mar 11, 2009 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Being a black belt means that you are way more likely to be submitted by him

than any other opponent. Evans is the current champ, so what he should do is force Machida to chase him & get him out of his comfort zone. This style has been effective for Evans to this point & Machida will be the one who has to take the belt from him. Just my opinion so take it for what it is worth.

Arguing on the internet is like being in the special olympics, even when you win you are still retarded.

by dnevil001 on Mar 11, 2009 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The only way I see Rashad winning this one is if he comes in over weight and retains the belt like Philio did.

by The_Vig on Mar 11, 2009 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

People haven’t exactly been successful at taking Machida down. Ortiz may be a dick but he is still a very powerful wrestler who was thrown around like a rag doll for three rounds.

Personally I think Machida is about to begin an Anderson Silva-esque reign of terror at LHW, but if Evans has a shot at beating him he has to utilize the speed he has in his stand up and hopefully catch Machida with something.

by Lyrias on Mar 11, 2009 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I actually think Tito

is a good example of where a guy with strong amateur wrestling skills failed to adapt them to MMA well enough to stay with, or ahead of the curve. His shots are isolated, picture-perfect wrestling technique…and they don’t work nearly as well as others.

Tito doesn’t set up his shots or takedowns. Machida, on the other hand, does exactly that with his takedowns. He sets it up with an outside strike, which forces a clinch, and then he goes for a trip. Tito’s shots are completely isolated from any other action. He failed to Mix the Martial Arts well enough to stay ahead of the pack.

There is no such thing as innocence, only degrees of guilt.

by misterjonez on Mar 11, 2009 9:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rashad will be more than prepared to face a BJJ black belt. It isn’t sport grappling, and Rashad has good ground positioning and GNP. Jackson’s guys have made a habit of beating up BJJ black belts on the ground fairly regularly.

by Hardcharger on Mar 11, 2009 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Really? Other than GSP (who Jackson helps minimally) beating BJ

who are you talking about?

Arguing on the internet is like being in the special olympics, even when you win you are still retarded.

by dnevil001 on Mar 11, 2009 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Should be noted GSP is also a bjj black belt.

A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.

by iiowyn on Mar 11, 2009 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Perhaps a bit overstated on my part, but Marquardt beat up Leites on the ground (and Gouveia) and Rashad pummelled Forrest, who’s MMA ground game is amongst the best at LHW.

by Hardcharger on Mar 11, 2009 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Marquardt is black or brown in bjj?

A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.

by iiowyn on Mar 11, 2009 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Black

If you're not submitting, you're just rolling around with another guy.

by BJJDenver on Mar 11, 2009 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thought so, but didn’t want to say it without certainty.

A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.

by iiowyn on Mar 11, 2009 6:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Forrest's ground game is supposed to be decent,

although we have no evidence of that other than him choking out Shogun who was completely out of gas at that point & please do not even attempt to place Forrest’s ground game in the same class as Machida’s. Marquardt himself is a black belt as well & most of the damage he did in that fight was on the feet. My only point was Evans gameplan would more than likely be to stay away from the ground.

Arguing on the internet is like being in the special olympics, even when you win you are still retarded.

by dnevil001 on Mar 11, 2009 5:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wait..isn’t the only evidence of Machidas ground game in his submission of Soku?

by Bigperm on Mar 11, 2009 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, because that is the only time he has needed it.

Much like, oh I don’t know Anderson Silva?

Arguing on the internet is like being in the special olympics, even when you win you are still retarded.

by dnevil001 on Mar 11, 2009 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ok, just checked: Lyoto has 2 subs in career while Forrest has 7. So, not sure why you are slamming anyone for recognizing Forrest’s game on the ground and then saying Machida is in a different league.

Unless you train with Lyoto, you really can’t say that. There are plenty of purple belts that are better than blacks in todays UFC. so..

by Bigperm on Mar 11, 2009 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

For the record:I do not train with Lyoto.

You can believe whatever you like. I will take Machida’s ground game over Forrest’s any time.

Arguing on the internet is like being in the special olympics, even when you win you are still retarded.

by dnevil001 on Mar 11, 2009 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

? Just stating facts my man.

by Bigperm on Mar 11, 2009 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The facts are that Machida has

not needed to use his BJJ much. If you think Jackson/Evans are not thinking about that in their gameplanning then I guess we do not have anything left to discuss.

Arguing on the internet is like being in the special olympics, even when you win you are still retarded.

by dnevil001 on Mar 11, 2009 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, I’m sure you have to prepare for anyone that has a black belt in BJJ but I am def disputing your thinking that Machida is more world class on the ground than he is. I have seen no evidence that Machida is better than Forrest on the ground. Have you?

by Bigperm on Mar 11, 2009 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I disagree to an extent...

The problem is that being prepared for BJJ black belts can be easily done by using power and strength to overwhelm, but there are a very limited amount of offensive BJJ black belts in MMA today.

Demian Maia is a transitional monster on the BJJ game, but you don’t see too many other BJJ black belts of his type in MMA. Fedor has the transition speed, but he mostly uses armbars and kimuras to execute his wins as opposed to a BJJ guy who uses a variety of other submissions on top of those.

Jackson’s camp doesn’t have that type of BJJ guy in their camp, and Machida has shown signs of being a very offensive grappler. His length also helps as well, and since Machida hasn’t had to use his ground game a lot, it’s a tough call for Jackson since there isn’t a lot of tape to follow on Machida.

I think going to the ground is a bad, bad idea, but it’s also a bad idea because Machida will likely remain elusive and counter. I don’t see him getting Machida to the floor regardless.

Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com

by Leland Roling on Mar 11, 2009 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pretty sure GSP and Marquardt will be adequate training partners for anything Machida could ever do on the ground unless I have missed something in the last 6 fights..

by Bigperm on Mar 11, 2009 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

GSP isn’t an offensive grappler at all. He’s mostly a power wrestler, and would not be a very good training partner as far as mimicing submission attempts, in my opinion. Having a BJJ black belt doesn’t really mean a whole lot unless you can modify it to MMA, and Machida shows various signs that he’s legitimately dangerous on the ground.

I think both Marquardt and GSP DO, however, have excellent defensive jiu-jitsu.

Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com

by Leland Roling on Mar 11, 2009 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is perhaps the most ludicrous statement you’ve made yet. Machida hasn’t shown near the offensive ground game that GSP has. If there’s anyone who has modified a BJJ black belt to successful MMA grappling, it’s GSP. He’s constantly working, passing to half/side/mount, taking the back, mixing in strikes with both hands equally well, and equally well to both the body and head. Marquardt does much of the same, without being quite as active as GSP (which is no shame, as nobody is).

If we’re talking Machida off his back, then we don’t have any evidence that he can pose a threat to Rashad from that position at all.

by Hardcharger on Mar 12, 2009 9:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

GSP has only just recently gotten his black belt, and he uses it almost completely for positional dominance, not offensive submissions.

A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.

by iiowyn on Mar 12, 2009 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The reason the Ortiz triangle almost worked was because NOBODY expected that.

A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.

by iiowyn on Mar 11, 2009 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

ummm... tito isn't a bum on the ground (from wiki)

Submission wrestling
Ortiz has also had fights as a submission wrestler and in 2000, competed in the Abu Dhabi Submission Wrestling tournament. Tito finished in third place after winning 4 fights before losing in the semi-final by decision to Ricardo Arona. During the tournament he defeated Matt Hughes, Mike van Arsdale, Rumina Sato, and Rostyslav Borysenko.

by adamdd on Mar 11, 2009 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Uhh, was that the absolute division? Matt Hughes and Rumina Sato? LOL, he has a lot more weight on both of them.

Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com

by Leland Roling on Mar 11, 2009 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You don’t win any matches at Abu Dhabi unless you are an above average submission fighter even by UFC standards.

"Japan is half-Machida" - iiowyn

by Day Man on Mar 11, 2009 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, so?

I was asking if that was the absolute division, not actually making fun of Tito Ortiz. I don’t understand your comment’s aim.

Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com

by Leland Roling on Mar 11, 2009 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I assumed you were continuing with the theme of the comment which was Tito’s submission ability through asking a sarcastic question and the use of LOL and weren’t legitimately questioning whether it was the absolute division. My bad.

Tito beat Sato in the absolute division. I’m guessing he beat Hughes in the Under 99KG division where he won the bronze.

"Japan is half-Machida" - iiowyn

by Day Man on Mar 11, 2009 6:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yea that cracked me up too, calling Tito a bum in relation to Rashad’s ground game.

"Japan is half-Machida" - iiowyn

by Day Man on Mar 11, 2009 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not a bad consolation prize.

I’m really excited for this match up actually. It should be interesting to see how Machida’s style matches up against an A level fighter (who is legitimately in his weight class).

by Andy R on Mar 11, 2009 4:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

This is a great fight, and a great main event between to immensely talented fighters.

Personally, swapping this fight and Mir-Lesnar on the UFC 98 and 100 cards doesn’t affect my desire for either. Both are still amazing cards that I’m looking forward to as much as any in recent memory. There’s something about the big HW fight that always is intriguing, even if we know neither is the true #1 in the world. Maybe Primetime will still do Lesnar-Mir 2?

by Hardcharger on Mar 11, 2009 4:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Smoogy, it's time to shine

by subo on Mar 11, 2009 4:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Machida gifs are required!

A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.

by iiowyn on Mar 11, 2009 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Machidas first real test. This to me is the true test to see what kind of fighter he is.

If he beats Evans, he id def for real.

by Bigperm on Mar 11, 2009 5:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Because beating…

Tito Ortiz
BJ Penn
Rich Franklin
Stephan Bonner
Thiago Silva
Sokodju (at the time had just come off of some HUGE wins)

Just aren’t enough of tests

by adamdd on Mar 11, 2009 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not only beating them, he destroyed most of the names on that list. BJ Penn had some of the better success against him, and Machida was still able to take that fight.

Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com

by Leland Roling on Mar 11, 2009 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t consider BJ Penn fighting a 205’r a test for him, sorry. Tito was at the end of a contract and career, lets be honest.

Franklin was still a rookie basically, Bonner the same. Soko..please..guy is a joke, you haven’t realized that by now? Silva was incredibly overrated and has unbelievably bad standup.

So yeah, I do consider this his 1st legitimate test based on current fighters.

by Bigperm on Mar 11, 2009 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And let me emphasize that I think Machida is one of the most talented fighters in the world. I just think this will really show who he is based on what we know of Evans right now.

by Bigperm on Mar 11, 2009 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tito would have beaten Evans without the point deduction.

A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.

by iiowyn on Mar 11, 2009 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Evans has looked great in his last few though. That can’t be denied. He has looked better to me than Machida has.

by Bigperm on Mar 11, 2009 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Evans may have beaten Tito had Tito not been grabbing the cage.

Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken

by Richard Wade on Mar 11, 2009 5:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

^ that was the last act of a desperate man

by subo on Mar 11, 2009 9:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Point Deduction

Tito would have beaten Evans without the point deduction.

Yeah, and if my grandmother had wheels, she’d be a bicycle.

"BJ on the BE" - Kierkegaard

by Brett Jones on Mar 11, 2009 5:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i felt that rashad was the better of the 2 after the fight, regardless of the judges scoring. thats all that mattered to me.

by bdw on Mar 11, 2009 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Their fight was pretty close

Here are the stats on it from Fight Metric:

http://www.fightmetric.com/fights/Penn-Machida.html

"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 Mar 12, 2009 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't see this as...

I don’t see this as a tough test at all for Machida. I’m not willing to jump on the hype train that is Rashad Evans either. I think a lot of the comments are ridiculous over the past few fights regarding Evans.

He knocked out Chuck after Liddell basically missed a huge punch, and got countered. Rashad obviously has speed now in his hands. He beat Griffin, who I believe was a tad overrated after he beat Rampage. Great wins, but I still believe Rashad has something to prove.

So what can he do against Machida? I don’t think there is a gameplan in the world that he can run to defeat Machida. If he had some reach, it’d be possible, but Rashad won’t have reach at all.

Evans won’t takedown Machida for the mere fact that Machida is a BJJ Black belt. Furthermore, there isn’t a whole lot of tape on Machida’s ground game, making it very difficult to assess the dangers on the ground. Machida is fairly quick to transition as well, making it unbelievably tough to mount offense on the ground.

Evans is going to have a very hard time getting through the reach and elusiveness. He’ll also have a tough time stopping Machida’s quickness in the footwork and kicks. I don’t see anyway Evans can win this fight other than catching Machida somehow… and that’s what we say about every single fight ever put on.

Machida will be the new champion. And Rampage doesn’t have much more of a chance either.

Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com

by Leland Roling on Mar 11, 2009 5:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

LOL at you discounting Rashad’s KO of Liddell. Rashad spent the 2nd round luring Chuck in because he had Liddell timed. He measured with the jab and when Liddell threw the uppercut, Rashad threw the overhand right that crumpled Liddell before Liddell’s punch could land. It doesn’t get any better, or more precise than that.

How does lack of tape on Machida lead anyone to believe that Rashad will have an unbelievably tough time mounting any offense on the ground?

This seems like another very slanted fight overview from you, which shouldn’t probably be surprising after the extended discussion you had regarding Munoz with me pre-UFC 96.

by Hardcharger on Mar 11, 2009 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think Leland's point was

that Chuck was what 37 at the time of their fight or somewhere close to that age. And he actually released before Evans did. Do you think that a younger, quicker fighter would not have landed that uppercut before Evans landed the overhand right & the outcome would have been completely different? I give Evans props for KOing Chuck, but Liddell’s hands have really slowed with his age.

Arguing on the internet is like being in the special olympics, even when you win you are still retarded.

by dnevil001 on Mar 11, 2009 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What? Chuck has knocked out plenty of younger guys at the time. I don’t understand bringing age into this. Randy broke Gozaga in half at age 44 and also knocked Timmy down. Age?

Please don’t disparage Evans victory over Chuck. Liddell is going to prove he can still fight when he knocks Shogun on his ass in a few weeks..

by Bigperm on Mar 11, 2009 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why not disparage Evans win over Chuck? Every post of yours is disparaging Lyoto’s wins over everyone he has ever fought.

by The_Vig on Mar 11, 2009 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Chuck is a bigger win than anyone on Machidas list. Easily.

by Bigperm on Mar 11, 2009 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Personally I see a lot of parallels between beating a fighter towards the end of his career (as Evans did with Chuck) and beating a fighter towards the beginning of his career (as Machida did with Franklin).

"Japan is half-Machida" - iiowyn

by Day Man on Mar 11, 2009 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

DUDE, age does not hit every person in the same way

wouldn’t you agree? Chuck & Randy are my two favorite fighters, but you cannot dispute that age has slowed them down. It is not disparaging Evans win over Chuck, but it was definitely a factor. Randy is a smaller & much faster hw than Gonzaga & Timmy.

Arguing on the internet is like being in the special olympics, even when you win you are still retarded.

by dnevil001 on Mar 11, 2009 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That’s an interesting interpretation of his post, since that’s not what he said.

Chuck threw, Rashad landed before Chuck did and KOed Liddell unlike anyone in Chuck’s career. The punch was completely set up by Rashad, and he lured Chuck in with impeccable timing.

Machida is a very skilled fighter, but he’s not unbeatable, and Rashad has shown plenty of skills to make him a very good matchup for Machida.

by Hardcharger on Mar 11, 2009 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

he’s not unbeatable

Proof? ;)

A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.

by iiowyn on Mar 11, 2009 7:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

lol, nice!

If you're not submitting, you're just rolling around with another guy.

by BJJDenver on Mar 11, 2009 8:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’d love to hear your opinion on how Evans can defeat Machida? I haven’t heard any solid opinions yet.

Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com

by Leland Roling on Mar 11, 2009 10:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Laugh all you want, Hardcharger.

Evans’ counter was perfect, and Chuck’s decision to throw a punch at that instance was another poor decision just like the Jackson bout in which he did seemingly the same thing. Evans capitalized just like Jackson. I don’t give Rashad a helluva a lot of credit for knocking Chuck out power wise, but I do give him credit for gaining speed in his standup. His boxing is much more quick and crisp.

Lack of tape on Machida doesn’t at all make anyone believe Rashad wil have problems with Machida, but it does lead me to believe their gameplan will lead them away from going to the ground without any easily accessible footage on Machida working any sort of ground game.

It really doesn’t matter. Rashad isn’t beating Machida on the ground. He’ll have a very tough time even trying to takedown Machida, let alone punishing him on the floor.

I don’t see how this is a slanted overview. Where does Evans overly impress in any aspect of his skillset that would definitively defeat Machida?

I was wrong about Munoz, but I did pick Hamill in the end per our discussion.

Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com

by Leland Roling on Mar 11, 2009 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So you’re backtracking, agreeing with me, citing lack of evidence and blind faith regarding Machida’s guard work, and this is supposed to tell me what? I’ve stated that Machida is a great fighter with amazing skills, but you’re again over-estimating aspects of a fighter’s game without seeing proof of it, which is the same mistake you did in our last discourse, in which you were shown to be incorrect. I’m not saying Machida can’t win, I’m giving each guy a legit shot at the belt based on how they match up.

by Hardcharger on Mar 12, 2009 9:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Greg Jackson is not going to focus a game plan against a part of Machida’s abilities that there is little tape of. That is what he is saying.

A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.

by iiowyn on Mar 12, 2009 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He will test Machidas chin. That’s what I’m curious about.

by Bigperm on Mar 11, 2009 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If Rashad isn’t nervous about his chances in this fight, he will not be prepared for it.

by The_Vig on Mar 11, 2009 5:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think every fighter truly believes he will be victorious at the level these guys are on. They don’t get the contender level without that belief.

by Bigperm on Mar 11, 2009 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Evans & Greg Jackson for that matter would have much

preferred to be facing Rampage instead of Machida.

Arguing on the internet is like being in the special olympics, even when you win you are still retarded.

by dnevil001 on Mar 11, 2009 5:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i agree. it will be alot harder to mimick machida’s style than rampage’s. the only fighter in the jackson camp who might be able to fight like lyoto is gsp, who has a black belt in karate as well as bjj. machida is one hard dude to train for imo.

by bdw on Mar 11, 2009 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not like there are a lot of MMA guys who have a sumo background with a BJJ blackbelt and are also karate experts that you can just pull in for training.

"Japan is half-Machida" - iiowyn

by Day Man on Mar 11, 2009 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed, but it sure will be fun to see Rashad’s speed and quickness vs Machida’s elusiveness!

If you're not submitting, you're just rolling around with another guy.

by BJJDenver on Mar 11, 2009 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yes. i think it’s a great fight. i’m sure there will be some dull moments, but once both fighters get warmed up, there will be alot of explosive moments.

by bdw on Mar 11, 2009 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rashad can win this fight via decision especially because Machida has shown he can wear down later in fights.

"A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on." - Sir Winston Churchill

by FlyByKnight on Mar 11, 2009 5:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i haven’t seen where machida has tired in the later rounds. he’s only fought 3 rounders since he’s been in the ufc and has never looked gassed to me.

by bdw on Mar 11, 2009 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Last round against Ortiz he looked like he was really slowing down.

"A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on." - Sir Winston Churchill

by FlyByKnight on Mar 11, 2009 6:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not that I can confirm this but he did say he was very sick going into that fight so take it for what you will.

"Japan is half-Machida" - iiowyn

by Day Man on Mar 11, 2009 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

For everyone thinking that Lyoto will submit Rashad, when was the last time the LHW Belt was won or lost based on a submission? This is going to become the cat and mouse game of who ends up coming out of his element and becomes the aggressor instead of the counter puncher. Most likely it will be Rashad, just because I think he will probably very confident with his standup.

Should be very fun to watch, 2 Undefeated fighters are always good to watch.

[URL=http://img10.imageshack.us/my.php?image=38612706m.gif][IMG]http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/4676/38612706m.th.gif[/IMG][/URL]

by xDieseLx on Mar 11, 2009 5:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i think this fight ends in a ko or tko. no submission, no decision.

by bdw on Mar 11, 2009 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think that has a lot to do with the fact that the only BJJ blackbelt to ever hold the LH title that I can think of is Vitor and he only had it for one fight.

"Japan is half-Machida" - iiowyn

by Day Man on Mar 11, 2009 6:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The only silver lining for Rashad is he will be able to train with St. Pierre, a fast karate black belt with excellent takedown defense. Nobody can come close to mimicking Machida but perhaps St. Pierre can do better than most.

by Michael Rome on Mar 11, 2009 6:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

GSP is Kyokushin and Machida Shotokan. I don’t know how different those two styles are, but they certainly don’t look like similar fighters in the cage.

You’re probably right that GSP is the closest that Rashad can get, but that says more about how unique Machida really is.

"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR

by Rundownloser on Mar 11, 2009 6:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m quite aware they are different style, but GSP also uses a lot of kickboxing and muay thai. His karate is used for background, but I think he can probably imitate better than most.

by Michael Rome on Mar 11, 2009 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m with you on this one, Mike, but for the record the two kinds of karate are actually meaningfully different. Shotokan is much more about precise forms (kata), nimble footwork, cunning, speed, precision, carefully selected shots and not taking damage. Kyokushin, on the other hand, values an athletic bang fest. It’s much more about forcing exchanges, striking first and often, being able to absorb punishment and to push the physical limits of the body.

The reason I don’t think this is a huge hindrance is that GSP likely has the ability to mimic Lyoto’s style to a sufficient degree. But the differences in Shotokan and Kyokushin seemingly speak to the very styles both GSP and Lyoto adopt in the cage.

by Luke Thomas on Mar 11, 2009 7:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t think GSP’s 10 years or so of Kyokushin plus some Muay Thai would allow him to sufficiently emulate Machida’s 25+ years of Shotokan. Plus, Machida uses a lot of unorthodox trip takedowns that come from both karate and sumo. I don’t think GSP can imitate that.

For example, this is a technique used in the Tito fight:

And the technique used against Thiago:

Karate trip used against Nakamura:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v38XQJgK7W0

I just can’t imagine GSP pulling that off correctly.

by Flying Gogoplata on Mar 11, 2009 7:56 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Those aren’t esoteric takedowns at all. Jiu-jitsu and judo both have widely-used adaptations of those, to say nothing that even if those takedowns were to be emulated directly they would still need a no-gi variant. If I recall correctly, didn’t Lyoto take Tito down from double unders? The point is not that GSP get it exactly right, but he’s got a reasonable background and is enough of a student of the game to get enough right to meaningfully help Evans. Whether Evans is able to use it, we shall see.

by Luke Thomas on Mar 11, 2009 8:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

GR wrestling uses tons of body locks and hip throws, as well. Basic collegiate wrestling even teaches trips with underhook control, but they don’t get a lot of action because if you’re in position to be tripped, you’ve seriously screwed yourself and probably aren’t good enough to advance to the upper echelons.

The basic point is that while Lyoto’s sumo background will undoubtedly give him yet another unorthodox method of applying combat maneuvers, it’s not like any of it is unprecedented or unique. Hip throws, body locks and trips are essential components of judo, wrestling, sumo, sambo and BJJ.

There is no such thing as innocence, only degrees of guilt.

by misterjonez on Mar 11, 2009 10:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It’s funny you mentioned GR which doesn’t involve leg attacks at all.

Anyway, GSP specialises in non-collegiate freestyle and most likely will not be able to sufficiently “copy” Machida’s trips.

by Flying Gogoplata on Mar 12, 2009 12:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Did I mention leg attacks as part of GR wrestling?

Re-reading my post, I don’t know if you can draw that conclusion. I said body locks and hip throws, which are absolutely used. They’re not as flash as a good judo step-through, but the contested points of leverage are the same.

There is no such thing as innocence, only degrees of guilt.

by misterjonez on Mar 12, 2009 5:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Give me a break. Those TDs are used extensively in freestyle and folkstyle (what you refer to as collegiate wrestling). GSP also has extensive knowledge of judo throws, as evidenced by his throw against Matt Hughes at UFC 79.

Machida excels due to his style and how he blends fighting defensively with his excellent technique. HIs techniques, however, aren’t unique, especially in the TD arena.

by Hardcharger on Mar 12, 2009 9:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Machida has been doing Sumo for 15 years, GSP had only started working on judo a little bit before that fight with Hughes.

A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.

by iiowyn on Mar 12, 2009 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Honestly, how much can GSP get right in a span of a few months? He’s also got the Alves fight to worry about too.

GSP just won’t be enough to give Evans a meaningful training edge.

by Flying Gogoplata on Mar 11, 2009 11:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m not buying it. I really think Machida’s stance, his elusiveness coupled with his VERY QUICK countering is his biggest strength. Being quick doesn’t effectively make you elusive to counters. If you’re coming forward, it’s almost impossible to stop from being countered by a perfect punch. The only real defense is having perfect hand defense, which Rashad does generally have.

I think it’s going to be a hard road for Rashad. It’ll be interesting to see if he comes forward in this fight.

Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com

by Leland Roling on Mar 11, 2009 10:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rashad Evans by 2nd round KO is my prediction.

by #5mmafan on Mar 11, 2009 6:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Machida by TKO when Evans tries one of his cocky showboat dances, and Machida jumps all over his ass.

by soadtrails on Mar 11, 2009 7:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I figure Machida is going to win but Rashad Evans has become one of those guys that it’s not smart to bet against.

by who me on Mar 11, 2009 7:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I dig this matchup.

by Cannon Jacques on Mar 11, 2009 8:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

we are about to witness shamrock vs Severn 2.

The only difference here is if you understand the fight game you’ll enjoy the methodical chess match… if you don’t understand then electrocuting your nuts will be a more pleasing experience.

If this were a 3 round fight it would be a nightmare… we might get some meaningful action by rounds 4 or 5.

Greg Jackson knows what he’s doing and the only way to beat machida or get close to beating him is to be disciplined enough to have THE most dis-engaging fight of your career.

by mmalogic on Mar 11, 2009 9:24 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Yep

And I’m gonna love every second of it.

"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR

by Rundownloser on Mar 11, 2009 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Great points, logic.

I agree with every bit of it.

And I also think that Dana is tearing his hair out at the notion that instead of Brock pumping 98’s ratings, and 100’s hype to all-time levels, he’s going to get this ‘tactical’ match of who-quits-their-defensive-counterpunching-gameplan-first, which will no doubt infuriate the casual fans who pay the bills.

There is no such thing as innocence, only degrees of guilt.

by misterjonez on Mar 11, 2009 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wonder where he’d pull that hair from?

by Johann on Mar 12, 2009 2:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

headline: dana white tearing his pubes out over ufc 98's ppv buys!

weoweoweo .deviantart .com

by Anton Tabuena on Mar 12, 2009 3:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

^ this was the insinuation,

in case anybody actually missed it.

There is no such thing as innocence, only degrees of guilt.

by misterjonez on Mar 12, 2009 5:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yep, the game plan will be make Machida attack, never strike first. and will all the talk of Machida unorthodox style when he initiates he becomes essentially a “simple striker”. couple that with Rashads obvious speed advantage and you have a delicious recipe for a Machida deep sleep.

by #5mmafan on Mar 11, 2009 10:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t understand this comment at all.

How does Machida become a simple striker ever? If Rashad disengages and chooses to become the counter guy, his speed isn’t enough to overcome the elusive nature of Machida in any regard. Because Evans punched Liddell out, he’s suddenly “The Flash” of MMA in one fight. Give me a break.

Machida’s stance and range is what sets him apart from the field. He’ll be hard to hit from range while he can still score quick kicks and points from that distance. Evans is going to have to engage after those simple strikes by Machida, and that’s when the counter will come from Machida.

I just don’t understand how Rashad became quicker than EVERYBODY, and Machida will ever be a simple striker. His Shotokan background alone makes him unorthodox in every sense of the word.

Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com

by Leland Roling on Mar 11, 2009 10:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

sorry the below post was my reply

by #5mmafan on Mar 11, 2009 11:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Machida’s striking style is based on his elusivness and his counter-striking. if you make him engage his punches come straight at you, hes doesnt throw punches from over top his head or from his hip or other never before seen angles. so he basically loses the elusiveness hence the term simple striker(which may not have been the best way for me to phrase it). as for the “Flash” comment who has Machida faced that you would say has more hand speed than Rashad. your middle paragraph basically says Rashad will throw out his entire gameplan because of a few kicks and if thats true he will lose.

by #5mmafan on Mar 11, 2009 11:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

This still doesn’t make sense. Machida won’t throw punches right in front of you, period. There is no scenario in which I truly believe he’ll stand toe-to-toe with anyone. He’ll likely use his speed to kick Evans and bait Evans into engaging or countering the kicks, which Machida does in nearly every single fight. If he can’t get you to engage in his game, he’ll kick and do enough damage to take the round. His opponents eventually have to engage. I don’t see how Evans is going to make him stand in front of him when he hasn’t had to do that against anyone.

Rashad will likely be the true test of his speed, but I’m still hesitant to believe Rashad is some insurmountable “Flash” of a fighter that Machida won’t be able to counter. Hand speed doesn’t mean squat unless you can get in close, and Liddell came in on Evans to the point where Evans didn’t even have to extend his limbs to reach Liddell, he was standing in front of him. Machida will never do that, not once. I just don’t see Evans having an easy time at all with this matchup, regardless of his training camp or Jackson in his corner.

Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com

by Leland Roling on Mar 12, 2009 9:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Great, so we end up with a champion who won’t stand toe to toe, ever, with anyone. Awesome for the sport. It’s like the World Series getting won on the hidden ball trick.

If I were Rashad, I’d feign punches over and over, and throw fakes that I’m rushing in, and as soon as Machida starts running, I’d stop and try and get Machida warned, or penalized for stalling, which is what he does. I’m convinced if his name was Joe Smith, and not “the Dragon” nobody would be celebrating his “style.”

by dwv114 on Mar 12, 2009 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Do everyone a favor, and don’t assume you know how he fights, and actually go watch a fight or two of his. That you are telling Rashad to feint and fake is hilarious, because that is a huge part of Machida’s game.

A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.

by iiowyn on Mar 12, 2009 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The hilarious thing is I did myself the huge disservice of watching all his fights last year. Giant waste of time. Spent hours upon hours watching a guy back pedal his way to decisions.

Do everyone a favor, and don’t assume you know something everyone else doesn’t because you’re a Machida fanboy. I specifically suggested Rashad throw all those fakes to expose Machida for stalling. The reason he wins is because his opponents continue chasing when Machida runs away, and they give him enough time throw in a counter or two. If Rashad fakes, Machida will run away and Rashad will appear to be the fighter pushing the action though nothing will actually get thrown. At some point, the ref may warn or penalize Machida for his stalling, and force him to fight. In a “fight” Rashad has the advantage.

Btw anyone who uses Ryu’s a cheezer.

by dwv114 on Mar 12, 2009 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Btw

I’m a cheezer for blowing the formatting…

by dwv114 on Mar 12, 2009 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

this is what we call a circular argument. i say Rashad must use a strategy unlike Machida’s other opponents and you continue to claim that its impossible because Machida’s is so darn elusive. so i will try once more. Evans must make him engage, Evans must do his best Machida impersonation. Evans must be the one to kick and score points and force Machida to engage or lose on points. i grant you the fact that if Evans acts like Thiago"Minatauro"Silva and stays flat footed and walks right into Machida he will lose 10 out of 10 times. my argument is that Jackson and Evans know just like everyone in the world that this particular strategy is a loser and they will have to use a patient, boring, non agressive, Machida-esque style to win the fight.

by #5mmafan on Mar 12, 2009 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Still short one Main Event

The UFC is taking a big risk making this the main event. It would be smart to make Serra vs Hughes the Main Event, or add another fight. 5 rounds of Machida stalling out a win over Rashad will turn a lot of people off, and put them to sleep.

by dwv114 on Mar 11, 2009 11:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I just hope

Rashad wins this. Don’t care how he wins either it can be a bore fest as long as I get to see Rampage vs Evans for the title this year.

“I’m gettin’ that belt back, Rashad. You gon get knocked out, CLEAN! Don’t say that Rashad, Don’t SAY that Rashad…”

“It’s gon be some mo…BLACK ON BLACK CRIME!!!!”

Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."

by xFenixKnightx on Mar 11, 2009 11:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

meh.. they can fight after they both lose to machida..

weoweoweo .deviantart .com

by Anton Tabuena on Mar 11, 2009 11:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This.

A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.

by iiowyn on Mar 11, 2009 11:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I want them to fight for the title

I want Lyoto to be champ…but not yet….

by rainmaker6 on Mar 12, 2009 12:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don’t worry, they will fight for the interim title after Machida becomes too elusive to be found after beating them both.

A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.

by iiowyn on Mar 12, 2009 12:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He will win. Then he will disappear back to the Amazon.

"Japan is half-Machida" - iiowyn

by Day Man on Mar 12, 2009 12:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Funny part is that if Machida beats both of them, he’ll still be chopped down like a tree by the pundits because of his style.

Let’s not forget that Rashad had the same emblem [read: boring] attached to his name before he started finishing Liddell and Forrest.

"A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on." - Sir Winston Churchill

by FlyByKnight on Mar 12, 2009 1:15 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i dont get your point..

evans was boring until he finished liddell and forrest.. So why would Machida still be “boring” even if he finishes both rampage and rashad? (plus he also finished thiago..)

5 rounds is better for machida cause he will have more time to finish fights.. most of his opponents are already beat up even on his decision wins.. a few more rounds would just increase his chances for a highlight finish..

weoweoweo .deviantart .com

by Anton Tabuena on Mar 12, 2009 2:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’ll tell you why. Because casual fans control the market, and casual fans want to see knockouts. The hardcore fanbase is the minority, and for the most part, those are the types of fans who enjoy watching Machida’s style. Plain and simple.

There are so many sites that rip on Machida’s style, and it’s ridiculous. Even after he crushed Thiago Silva, there was still whining and now there is more whining from blogs like Fightlinker that Machida is going to bore the division. I couldn’t care less if fans like that even watched the event.

Editor-in-chief of MMA-Analyst.com

by Leland Roling on Mar 12, 2009 9:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

well his postulate was even if machida beats both rampage and evans, machida will still be boring..

Evans shookoff his ‘boring’ tag by finishing chuck and forrest.. If machida does the same with rampage and evans i dont see why he wont be able to shake off his..

weoweoweo .deviantart .com

by Anton Tabuena on Mar 12, 2009 10:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is this the first title fight between two undefeated fighters?

by DirtyML on Mar 12, 2009 2:37 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Damn. That was a great piece of trash talking – and now it’s kinda sorta going to waste. Bummer.

Then again, Machida-Evans sounds like a great match, too. I think Rashad has a really good chance to win Machida (two words: Greg Jackson – if anyone can come up with the gameplan to do it, he can) but then again, the way Lyoto has been beating people, him taking the title is a real, real possibility.

I still want to see Rampage-Evans and Rampage-Griffin II. But all in due time.

by lhasafi on Mar 12, 2009 3:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

This fight might not be the blockbuster Evans-Rampage could have been, but I’m still just as excited. I really hope that the UFC takes the time to do another Primetime show on them, and hopefully build up Machida. The cool champion versus the undefeated warrior angle could work, plus they are both undefeated.

I’m not so worried about this fight being boring. Lyoto won’t make any foolish moves, but that dosen’t mean he won’t come forward if Rashad is just looking to counter. If I do recall…didn’t Lyoto almost finish Tito with a flying knee to the sternum? Everyone has this mentality that Lyoto has never initiated an exchange or taken a step forward. Rashad has that knockout power and good wrestling, and look for him to do something unexpected to throw Lyoto off.

Greg Jackson is a great strategist, and constantly I find that his strategies are this…the most simple route to victory is the one that should be taken. You can really see this with GSP in the BJ fight recently. GSP used his superior striking to set up his takedowns and the wrestling to hold him down and pound him out. No pressure to finish, no risky moves, just get the W.

Lyoto is Lyoto…quick, sneaky, powerful. Any opening Rashad leaves will be used to his disadvantage.

And for the record…

Lyoto by 3rd round TKO.

by kyfm621 on Mar 12, 2009 10:48 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I really hope that the UFC takes the time to do another Primetime show on them, and hopefully build up Machida.

I highly doubt it.

Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, When Matt and his brother Mark Hughes were growing up, they would pound each other behind the barn."

by xFenixKnightx on Mar 12, 2009 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

They need to do something to sell this fight because Lyoto is not exciting or popular among most fans

"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 Mar 12, 2009 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Do you have any actual evidence of this? Have you taken polls? I know this is the common view amongst the MMA cognoscenti, but I’ve yet to see the proof.

by FRANKIE on Mar 12, 2009 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry dude, I’m an MMA fan. I don’t know what cognoscenti means, and thank god I’ve never met anyone who used that word in a sentence. Obviously an extensive vocabulary, doesn’t mean extensive understanding of the sport. Nobody pays $150 per ticket to watch Kalib run, and I’m guessing about 97% of the fans out there don’t see the difference between Kalib and Machida.

I will say, there’s a good chance Machida will become a draw. If he snorefests his way to a championship against Rashad, and then defends his title a couple times with 5 rounds of leg kicking his way to decisions like he did to BJ, he will quickly become a target of hate rather than the apathy he currently enjoys from the casual fan. People will start tuning in hoping to see his ass knocked out.

by dwv114 on Mar 12, 2009 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I bet the fans saw a difference after he knocked the fuck out of Thiago Silva…or did you miss that fight?

by kyfm621 on Mar 12, 2009 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

every fighter has knockouts on their record. it’s their general style of fighting and their persona outside the ring that people are attracked to. I recognize the difference dickwad, but most of the calamari, or whatever that guy called them may not.

by dwv114 on Mar 12, 2009 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good job on the name calling. Warned.

A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.

by iiowyn on Mar 12, 2009 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rather, flagged, only mods can warn.

A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.

by iiowyn on Mar 12, 2009 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey. Wait. I love Calamares.

by Johann on Mar 13, 2009 2:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So you’re basically saying that you don’t have any evidence. Fair enough. You’re hardly alone.

by FRANKIE on Mar 12, 2009 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

To add my $.02 to the discussion

Check out the stats on Lyoto’s fight with BJ Penn

http://www.fightmetric.com/fights/Penn-Machida.html

Take from that what you want

"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 Mar 12, 2009 11:38 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Greg Jackson definitely will take stuff from that fight.

A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.

by iiowyn on Mar 12, 2009 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Machida will win….I hope.

Machida is a more well-rounded fighter.

The truth is he deserves the shot against Rashad NOT Rampage who BARELY beat Jardine. Many can argue Jardine was winning until the last seconds of the fight.

by MMAJAY on Mar 13, 2009 1:04 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Say what you will about him but I think Lyoto Machida brings out the ‘art’ in martial arts. His style is so fluid that it makes him the most interesting fighter to watch in all of mma. Machida may very well be the most technical fighter in the ufc, with reaction speed and precision striking that is unmatched in the light heavyweight division.

As most fans, I’d like to see this title fight finished by KO/TKO, but at the same time I want it to go 4-5 rounds so we can see more of both fighters’ technique displayed. Machida is likely to systematically wear down Evans like he’s done to everyone else, and a TKO in round 4/5 would really put the cherry on the cake.

It’s the year of ‘The Dragon’!! = )

by Xited on Mar 16, 2009 4:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs