Lyoto Machida Sees Challenge in UFC's Heavyweight Division

by Leland Roling on May 15, 2009 9:18 AM EDT

Interestingly enough, Gegard Mousasi isn't the only guy out there contemplating a challenge in stepping up in weight to take on the big boys. The UFC's Lyoto Machida spoke at Tatame.com through a Q&A session with fans, and he was asked about the UFC's heavyweight division:

"I don’t think about fight at heavyweight division, but I think about a challenge, maybe against the heavyweight champion, but it’s time for it now. My focus, for sure, is on my division now, later is later. Maybe a fight against Brock Lesnar. He’s a huge guy, showed himself very aggressive and strong, who knows if one day we can fight… I respect him as a fighter, he’s very strong, but I’m professional and I’d like to test myself"

This isn't a huge surprise as there are various fighters in various weight classes that seem to move in and out of their own weight class to challenge themselves. The epitome of this concept has been Anderson Silva's boredom with the Middleweight division talent, and his subsequent move to take on Light Heavyweight competition. He'll now fight Forrest Griffin, the #4 Light Heavyweight in the BloodyElbow.com Consensus Rankings, at UFC 101.

Most fans scoff at the possibility of some of these fighters moving up two weight classes or even one. Guys like Anderson Silva, Georges St. Pierre, and B.J. Penn have the ability to do so, but we have yet to see many guys move into the ranks of the Heavyweight division. Randy Couture has successfully moved between Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight, and we're seeing a behemoth in Alistair Overeem do the same in Japan. These are guys that have frames to support a move to heavyweight however, and I'm not so sure Machida's frame along with his style would make for a great transition.

How would Lyoto Machida fair in the Heavyweight division? Depending on how much power and weight he gained, it's tough to say. The more weight he adds, the slower he will likely become. Speed seems to be the ultimate weapon coupled with great strategy. His style definitely gives me confidence that he could do well, but first he'll have to handle Rashad Evans, and likely a run of opponents with Quinton "Rampage" Jackson leading the field.

The FanPosts are solely the subjective opinions of Bloody Elbow readers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bloody Elbow editors or staff.

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Comments

Everyone always prematurely starts the moving up in division talk. Machida doesn’t even have the belt yet and he is already looking past the whole LHW shark tank that he has to beat first

by Flyghtt on May 15, 2009 9:26 AM EDT reply actions

Agreed...

This might have been better to say after he won and defended the title.

Follow my analysis of all things MMA on BloodyElbow.com

by Leland Roling on May 15, 2009 9:29 AM EDT up reply actions

Didn’t Lyoto Machida weigh in at 195 lbs. for the David Heath fight? I know his game definitely doesn’t rely on having a size advantage over his opponent, but him vs. Lesnar would be one of the biggest weight disadvantages since Teila Tuli lumbered into the octagon.

by Sam Cupitt on May 15, 2009 9:30 AM EDT reply actions

I think he would honestly have more of a chance against Fedro.

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

by iiowyn on May 15, 2009 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions

You should check out the old Emmanuel Yarborough fights if you haven’t seen them

by Flyghtt on May 15, 2009 9:50 AM EDT up reply actions

Oh I've seen them...

“THIS IS LIKE JAWS!” – Stephen Quardos.

Greatest piece of commentary ever.

by Sam Cupitt on May 15, 2009 9:58 AM EDT up reply actions

199. Weighed in at 203 for his UFC 67 fight too.

Also, Zach Arnold must have been writing for a lot of websites back because the sites I checked to find those weigh-in results were all spelling his name as Ryoto Machida.

by rabrown on May 15, 2009 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions

This makes me want to see him lose.

Forget solving the riddle of Machida’s style. I want to see Rashad’s hand speed solve his face.

I dislike Matt Hughes.

by MonkeyCHops on May 15, 2009 2:25 PM EDT reply actions

I don’t know the context of this statement, but usually they’re answering a question, so don’t blame the fighters, blame the interviewers for jumping the gun. He’s clearly trying to say that he’s focusing on the now which is the lightweight division and the LHW title and Rashad Evans, and not the Heavyweight division.

It’s fun to speculate, and I’d absolutely love to see him fight Lesnar and Fedor.

by Dooda on May 15, 2009 2:47 PM EDT reply actions

I think he would translate well

to the heavier weight division and opponents. As a Sumo practitioner he has learned how to handle body frames larger and heavier than his. Throw in his speed and elusiveness, and I think he does just fine. Obviously every fight he takes in that weight class would have to end up going to decision for him to win. As, he hasn’t shown too much knockout power or submission ability in the LHW division.

by mrwrong on May 15, 2009 3:04 PM EDT reply actions