UFC 98 Results: Lyoto Machida Dissects Rashad Evans to Take Light Heavyweight Title
by Kid Nate on May 24, 2009 12:37 AM EDT
in MMA News
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Shotokan karate instructors around the world arose as one to celebrate Lyoto Machida's one sided second round KO over UFC light-heavyweight champion Rashad Evans.
Machida's unique style utterly baffled Evans who was left swinging at phantoms and eating blows from unexpected directions.
In a deliberately paced match, Machida was the first to score in the first round with high leg kicks from the outside before dropping him with a right hand. Evans survived the round but Machida's corner correctly assessed the situation, telling their fighter to keep doing what he was doing.
In the second frame, Machida blocked a high kick from Evans and scored with a flurry of damaging punches led by a straight left. A stunned Evans managed to get back to his feet, avoiding much damage on the ground, but it was over quickly after that. Machida continued to relentlessly assault the champion, battering him with hooks and straights, finally finishing with a short, sharp straight left hand that sent Rashad Evans slumping to the ground.
Machida's unconventional karate style has proven to be an insolvable riddle for all of his opponents to date. It remains to be seen if former champ Quinton "Rampage" Jackson will have an answer.
There has not been a been only one successful defense of the UFC 205lb belt since Jackson upset long-time champ Chuck Liddell and subsequently defended it against Dan Henderson. Many believe that Machida has the formidable skill-set to be the dominant champion the division has awaited.
Machida's mystique as a Brazilian practitioner of an arcane Japanese traditional martial-arts tradition reminds some of original UFC star Royce Gracie. Like Gracie, Machida learned his art from his father and both fathers had adapted their style to compensate for physical limitations. In Helio Gracie's case it was his sickly frame and lack of brute strength that led him to develop a heavily leverage based jiu jitsu style. In Yoshizo Machida's case, his lack of height led him to develop an unusual approach to footwork that allowed him to move in and out against taller opponents.
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Anderson Silva and Machida Are Elusive!
Great time to smile at all the Machida haters because he is a “boring” fighter and “elusive”.
=)
Quality.
"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 May 24, 2009 1:41 AM EDT up reply actions
So we now know that Machida is the king...and Hughes is the queen...
Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
http://CurseOfRonKarkovice.blogspot.com/
by Brent Brookhouse on May 24, 2009 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions
I doubt Rampage will beat Machida
Rampage is another fighter that fits perfectly into Machida’s gameplan.
Machida on TUF is a bad idea.
First I’m not going to look forward to Rampage v Machida. Rampage doesn’t have the kicks that evans has nor does he know how to block leg kicks. He will be trying knock Machida out w/ a nice counter. Really??? Come on!
Second, it will hold up the lightheavyweight belt. I want to see Machida fight much more than I want to see him act.
We all need to tell Spike and TUF that we want our BLACK ON BLACK CRIME!!!!
finally...
Someone who can defend the LHW belt for more than one time. Bye Rashad your 15 minutes of fame are over now.
Shad is not a fluke.
He is legitemitely the best lightheavyweight in the world behind the Dragon and Spiderman (his nickname on Pride)
As much as I don’t like him I would have to say he’s not a fluke I thought his head movement and footwork would allow him to mount more of an offense against Machida
He won’t be a fluke as long as he keeps fighting guys on TUF and old men like Chuck.
by P4P is a stupid concept on May 24, 2009 1:22 AM EDT up reply actions
Either you're racist...
or just completely retarded. I’m not sure which is worst.
Rashad whooped Forrest’s ass.
whooped ass = lost first 2 rounds
Gotcha!
by jebushchrist on May 24, 2009 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Are you serious?
whooped ass = flailing limply/tapping to strikes
I’m a Forrest fan, but when you get TKO’d like that… you got your ass whooped. How could you even deny it?
I suppose Chuck Liddell didn’t get KO’d either because he won the first round? LOL
Bringing Chuck into this is ridiculous, which says a lot about your ability to have a cogent conversation.
Find 1 time when I’ve ever said Rashad didn’t KO chuck.
And Rashad even admitted that he didn’t whoop Forrest. He lost the first 2 rounds. In the 3rd, he drilled him and finished him. End of story.
Stop looking for things that aren’t there.
by jebushchrist on May 24, 2009 8:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Whah Whah!!
Shut up about the other fights Evans won. He got the shit beat out of him, end of story. He beat Chuck after his career as a dangerous striker was over & Forrest is a great & likable guy but lets not confuse him with someone who is a great fighter, but by the way gave Evans all that he wanted until the end. Evans beat them both, no doubt about it. But this is about Evans getting absolutely destroyed, in his prime, by a superior fighter.
Arguing on the internet is like being in the special olympics, even when you win you are still retarded.
And he spoke English!
Lyoto is fucking smart. He adressed the crowd in English. He will make $$$$$.
Long reign the Dragon! hahahaha!
Today is a good day to be a Machida fanboy.
I love me some Sexyama!
I blame Frank Mir!
Its all his fault; instead of watching him getting donkey konged in to dust and seeing rampage v evans we now have a fighter who does not have a single good match up in the next 12- 24 months…. bye bye the highly contested LHW division; now apart from the HW division there is not single divion where you can expect highly competitive championship bouts.
Yes i know Lyoto is great fighter; i think he is good to watch; i think he will be unbeaten for god knows how many years…it’s not what i want to watch…I want fights where you really don’t know who is going to win until the last….
WAR Jon Jones?
If you could read....
“I want fights where you really don’t know who is going to win until the last….”
That most likely would of answered the question…
do you want to see guys clean out every division?>
So you're not a fan of clear champions?
That is not an argument I have ever heard in my life
Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
http://CurseOfRonKarkovice.blogspot.com/
by Brent Brookhouse on May 24, 2009 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions
I guess im just worried....
that we will end up with match ups like Anderson Silva v Thales Lietes… the last thing people should want is the ufc to run out of good contenders….
Like everyone else ill need to wait and see how this works out.
LHW is too stacked
Forrest, Rampage, Shogun, and Rich Franklin could all get title shots. Even Jardine might be a bit more of a riddle for Machida than most.
And then you’ve got Jon Jones waiting in the wings.
"the spirit of your average dumbass with more overblown rhetoric" OR "the self-appointed savior of MMA"
WAR Jon Jones is always the correct answer…to any problem.
"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 May 24, 2009 1:42 AM EDT up reply actions
There has not been a successful defense of the UFC 205lb belt since Jackson upset long-time champ Chuck Liddell exactly two years ago
Jackson vs Henderson? Doesn’t that count as a defense?
Rampage defending his belt against Henderson, after defeating Liddell
is exactly what Kid Nate is referencing…
¿Quieres chiclets?
by The Mexican't on May 24, 2009 2:34 AM EDT up reply actions
my bad, fixed
"the spirit of your average dumbass with more overblown rhetoric" OR "the self-appointed savior of MMA"
Disturbing KO
There was something about Machida brutalizing Rashad against the cage that turned my stomach.
Great fight though…I’m looking forward to the Machida Era
The way he was flailing his arms while grimacing made me squick – he looked like an inflatable dancing man at a used-car lot.
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on May 24, 2009 1:20 AM EDT up reply actions
It's good to see that someone else has a heart...
It sickens me that people are actually celebrating Rashad’s KO. I was rooting for Machida all the way, but you’d have to be a sick individual to revel in a KO loss like that. Rashad has never done anything to deserve the hatred that he gets. So what if he grabbed his crotch in a FUCKING FIGHT.
That KO really was disturbing.
I think some would argue that he acts liek a cocky, arrogant a**hole, and that is why they throughly enjoyed watching Machida beat his face in.
by P4P is a stupid concept on May 24, 2009 1:31 AM EDT up reply actions
The fact that you genuinely enjoyed watching a person get KO'd
says more about your character than the so-called “reasons” why you hate Rashad. Point me to one interview where Rashad is genuinely arrogant and “cocky.” The guy is classy before and after fights. Grabbing your crotch in a fight is in poor taste, for sure, but it’s a fight. If you’re really that offended then stop watching a sport where the primary objective is to hurt your opponent.
Seriously.
I enjoyed the KO because I heart Machida, but IMO Rashad seems like an awesome dude to hang out with. I also love his “cockiness” in the cage. F the haters.
http://www.sackmikegoldberg.com
by Mike Fagan on May 24, 2009 2:01 AM EDT up reply actions 6 recs
If you are really that offended by a cocky guy getting KTFO and people enjoying it then maybe you should stop watching a sport where the primary objective ist to hurt your opponent.
Way to completely miss my point, asshat. There’s a difference in appreciating the skill that it takes to knock an opponent out and being in awe of the knockout itself. Taking sadistic pleasure in watching a particular fighter get knocked out is very different.
Let me try that again. It’s a little unclear.
There’s a difference between appreciating and being in awe of the knockout, itself, and taking a sadistic pleasure in watching a particular fighter get knocked out.
There we go.
Way to completely miss my point, asshat. If you think it is sadistic to enjoy watching someone knocked out then why are you watching a sport where the primary objective is to hurt your opponent? Is that too hard for you to understand, asshat?
Just like I guess when I watch any other sport, it is sadistic for me to want the other team to lose. I shouldnt be happy when my team wins, just in awe of the skill it took for them to win.
…and I should add, unless someone on the other team is black, because then it would be racist to root against them.
sigh
You either:
a) don’t have the intelligence to understand my point or
b) don’t have the compassion to understand it
Read it again… and then think long and hard about it before making another completely moronic reply. Mmmkay, little guy. Make sure you don’t think too hard. We don’t want you going to sleep with a headache.
watch the namecalling guys
"the spirit of your average dumbass with more overblown rhetoric" OR "the self-appointed savior of MMA"
It isn’t that they want Rashad to lose for sporting reasons. It’s that they want Rashad to lose for personal reasons, based on them improperly characterizing him.
Rashad harmlessly takes a second or two every 5th fight to entertain and people hate his guts for it and call him cocky. He is humble and a class act in every interview he has ever given. Listen to his recent interview with Steve Coefield if you are unhappy with his f-bombs from UFC 96.
Um if someone is watching MMA to start with then they probably do enjoy seeing guys get knocked out, it’s a big part of the sport. Heck they make “greatest KO” specials and Rashad KOing opponents is the biggest part of his highlight reel. Any time someone gets knocked out it’s going to be a bit “disturbing” but it’s one of the cornerstones of the sport and something fans love to see(heck Machida picked up KO of the night for it).
Wait, now we're not supposed to enjoy knockouts?
I’m a huge protector of fighter safety, but I’m frankly surprised to see people being upset at the image of Rashad being—shudder—knocked out. It was no where near as bad as the KO he dealt Lidell.
A wise man told me don't argue with fools
Cause people from a distance can't tell who is who
It wasn't the going to sleep part...
It was the having your face smashed in while being unable to defend yourself part that was disturbing.
Franklin was never KO’d in his first fight with Silva, but I’m not sure I want to meet the person who thought all those undefended knees made for good watchin’
Your statement is very hypocritical. Its not okay to enjoy watching a fighter get knocked out. But if said fighter acts like an ass in the ring than I am supposed to suck it up because this is a sport where the primary objective is to hurt your opponent? What a joke. If your job is to fight and you are boring and disrespectful while working, than I don’t care what you say outside the ring.
by Dropkick434 on May 24, 2009 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions
I’ve never been a fan of Rashad’s but that fight is going to join Franklin/Silva 1 on the list of fights that I can’t watch anymore.
Gifs are Finally Surfacing
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on May 24, 2009 3:09 AM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
Holy cow, that is brutal. Looks like the boring Machida didn’t show up against Evans.
by Monday Morning Martial Artist on May 24, 2009 8:24 AM EDT up reply actions
It is obvious to me that those people who call Machida boring haven’t really watched enough of his fights.
by fuzzy wuzzy on May 24, 2009 8:56 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Machida was never boring
People that say that are people who are better off watching the tough man competitions.
It sickens me that people are actually celebrating Rashad’s KO. I was rooting for Machida all the way, but you’d have to be a sick individual to revel in a KO loss like that. Rashad has never done anything to deserve the hatred that he gets. So what if he grabbed his crotch in a FUCKING FIGHT.
Did you miss Rashad’s Sanford impression after he KO Chuck Liddel?
You must be racist to say the things you say.
by mythbuster on May 24, 2009 8:52 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Recd!!
Or him grabbing his cock while mocking Forrest? I must be a racist as well.
Arguing on the internet is like being in the special olympics, even when you win you are still retarded.
I mean…isn’t it clear that any time a black fighter loses or gets his a** beat, it is racism? They would never lose otherwise, right?
Machida is half asian. Anyone who says he is boring is “racist.” LMAO.
by P4P is a stupid concept on May 26, 2009 9:21 AM EDT up reply actions
If anyone is interested, it looks like you can watch the post-fight press conference here in about 20 minuts.
Finally Rashad will shut his f-ing mouth.
Today is a day of deliverance. I’m so sick of hearing people talk about how Evans is undefeated and has KO power and blah blah blah when he has not fought ANYBODY except an over the hill Chuck and a lucky shot on Griffin. Evans is not only not in the same ballpark as Machida….they aren’t even the same league…or even SPORT.
Long live the Dragon. Dance around by yourself tonight in la-la land, Evans.
by P4P is a stupid concept on May 24, 2009 1:17 AM EDT reply actions
Right, because he lost to Lyoto, that obviously means he has no KO power…
I hope you know how ignorant you sound. I’m NOT saying Rashad is a better fighter than Machida, but you got to remember GSP getting KTFO by Serra….
I’m not saying he doesn’t have KO power…. I’m saying (like I said before the fight and all the Evans fans rejected it) that his KO power doesn’t mean dick in this fight.
by P4P is a stupid concept on May 24, 2009 1:27 AM EDT up reply actions
But saying that Rashad isn’t even in the same league as Machida is just plain silly. You don’t become the LHW champion with out any talent. You don’t even get a shot at it…
But didn't you read??
Rashad won TUF in a heavier weight class, beat Chuck Liddel (KTFO!!) and KO Forrest Griffin by…. luck!
Learn 2 read duuude! ;)
Do not even dare GSP
getting caught by Serra to Machida beating the living shit out of Evans for two rounds. Evans has power, no arguments here. But he is not the world beater he has been made out to be.
Arguing on the internet is like being in the special olympics, even when you win you are still retarded.
gsp vs. serra
that was more of a one lucky shot that hurt him type deal. Machida vs. Evans was a one sided 2 round ass beating.
Hey man
I’m as happy as anyone to see Rashad get KTFO. I am hoping it humbles him a bit and he learns respect for his opponents. But don’t discredit his achievements. He deserves all the good things said about his talent and skills. he has earned them.
Raise the specimen sample and say cheers
Does this mean Everyone is gonna start drinking their own urine? I think it’s a bit early to be calling bones out. Give the guy a few fights before you start claiming. Bandaka hit it on the wide open mouth who just got KTFO.. Machida is a getting better every fight. I would not be surprised if he keeps knocking people out.
by son of miss the mark on May 24, 2009 1:18 AM EDT reply actions
so… where are those 5 year olds giving me a headache when I was trying to explain fighting to them?
I gave up trying to explain what they clearly could not understand so instead I told them to simply watch the fight and then you’ll understand what I’m talking about.
I keep saying there should be an age limit where no one under 12 should be able to post here.
At the bar I was watching the PPV at, everyone was cheering at the end of the fight. I don’t know if it’s Machida-Love or Evans-Hate, but he does seem to win fans at every fight.
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on May 24, 2009 1:23 AM EDT reply actions
at my bar there was Machida love and Hughes love. Not much hate for anyone tonight. There were a few boos for Evans during the intros
by P4P is a stupid concept on May 24, 2009 1:26 AM EDT up reply actions
There was a lot of Machida love at the bar we were at. I suppose the presence of about 15 ATT MO (including a number of Brazilians) members might have skewed things, but it seemed that everybody in the bar was a Machida fan.
"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 May 24, 2009 1:52 AM EDT up reply actions
Well everyone there was clearly “racisit”, then weren’t they? haha
by P4P is a stupid concept on May 26, 2009 9:23 AM EDT up reply actions
That’s pretty much what the fuck is up. I don’t have words right now. I’m so happy. Karate is back.
by Chris Nelson on May 24, 2009 1:24 AM EDT reply actions 6 recs
Knee Injury?
Hopefully his knee didn’t get messed up like Hughes’ did
Wreck'd
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on May 24, 2009 1:43 AM EDT up reply actions
Do what now?
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on May 24, 2009 2:33 AM EDT up reply actions
Beautiful.
"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 May 24, 2009 1:52 AM EDT up reply actions
Such a pretty picture after Evans reaction
to KOing Chuck at 40 or whatever. You never saw Chuck like this during his prime. Machida looks like he is about to allow “Shugah” to taste some of his famous pee pee cocktail.
Arguing on the internet is like being in the special olympics, even when you win you are still retarded.
So, could somebody wake me when this is all over?
Seriously, when he eventually loses the belt, the headlines that read “Our Long National Nightmare is Over” will be doubly true.
(Still, his most active outing yet.)
Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ. -- TangleBones
Seriously, when he eventually loses the belt, the headlines that read "Our Long National Nightmare is Over" will be doubly true.
Get outta here. He’s proved everyone wrong. They all said he was soft and couldn’t win the title. Yet look at what he just did.
"A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on." - Sir Winston Churchill
I would but the coffin’s nailed too tightly.
by Flying Gogoplata on May 24, 2009 7:04 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
That's it
I’m gonna start drinking my urine every morning.
by Zack Gobie on May 24, 2009 1:29 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Rec'd
Urine Drinkers Unite!
A wise man told me don't argue with fools
Cause people from a distance can't tell who is who
GREAT FIGHT!!!!
i was not expecting a KNOCK-OUT like that!!!!
im taken back everything i said about Machida being boring.
LOL
MMA fans that say Machida, Werdum, etc is boring….
I never understood why in the world anyone was saying that in the first place.
by MMASuPreMaCy on May 24, 2009 1:36 AM EDT up reply actions
I love Werdum, especially since he learned the thai clinch.
"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 May 24, 2009 1:53 AM EDT up reply actions
placing werdum and machida in the same group is beyond stupid.
by mmalogic on May 24, 2009 1:59 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
For the last couple of years...
I have constantly heard about how stacked UFC’s LHW division is and blah balh blah. Well looks like we have the dominant champion who now outshine all of his competition. Just like GSP and Anderson Silva, UFC brass will have a hard time finding a steady supply of worthy challeners to Machida’s throne.
Griffin looks like he will get steam rolled by Anderson, so dont expect to see him. Rampage is a good opponent for Machida yeah but like I said earlier Rampage has a terrible style for Machida. So who is left? Shogun? Hahaha!
You forgot Penn in the LW division.
Looks like HW is the only division up for grabs, but its not a great division at all.
by MMASuPreMaCy on May 24, 2009 1:38 AM EDT up reply actions
This is what i was getting at earlier...
The last thing i want is for every division to be one sided championship fights
…
But you still never know what’s going to happen.
Weren’t people excited to see the unstoppable Patriots take on the Giants, both in the last game of the regular season and in the Super Bowl?
It’s fun to watch dominance, and it’s even more fun to speculate and see who can topple the “unbeatable” forces in sports.
Having dominant champions isn’t and shouldn’t be a concern of the UFC. It is not a problem in any way.
Does Fedor being as good as he is make people not care about his fights?
GLAD long time machida fan
Followed Lyoto since I moved from Brazil 2 years ago. Glad the tide is turning and people are really opening their eyes to Lyoto’s style, specially now that he turned on the aggression.
He’s a real fighter, a real martial artist. Hopefully he will inspire other athletes and help diminish or take out ‘the brawler’s sport’ tag from mma. MMA is an art, not something similar to bar fighting.
But also I’d like to point out, even though I am a Lyoto fan, I feel many people – probably kids – are treating Rashad unfairly. He is after all, a talented athlete, probably number 2 in the 205 division.
The ‘ghetto’ insults thrown at him are childish, stupid, and border on the racist.
by GilValiant on May 24, 2009 1:34 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs
People wouldn’t hate Rashad as much as they do if he weren’t so cocky. True, a good fighte must have confidence but there is a line to be crossed.
Evans beat two of my favorite fighters, Liddell and Griffin, and I could tell you if he werent such an asshole, he would have a fan in me, instead I am and have been for a while, a huge Machida fan. If you can call him boring after his last two fights, and him never having lost a round, I dont know what you are looking for. A win over BJ, Franklin, Silva, Evans, and Tito. How can you not like this guy.
MMA is an art, not something similar to bar fighting.
MMA is a ruleset.
by Pandanus on May 24, 2009 1:41 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Rec'd.
"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 May 24, 2009 1:53 AM EDT up reply actions
Question to Machida at press conference
Reporter: Do you wanta start movie career?
Dana (and me): “Ohh god, please say no”
Machida: “No”
Dana raises arms in air.
Yoda takes a nap
Although Team Jackson has had some great gameplans for fights, clearly greg jackson really had no answer for Machida’s style. Hopefully some of the less realistic minds on how perfect greg’s gameplans ALWAYS are will come back to earth. Mostly this means members of the Sherdog crowd. A great gameplan is important but not the end all.
When I think of Machida or Silva, I think of how Michael Vick in his prime could run on teams but not Tampa Bay. Other Teams knew Tampa’s plan, but they didn’t have the spped and skill guys to execute it.
So far there is no one in the UFC who has the tools necesary to implement the gameplan that could, or would have a good chance to beat the spider or the dragon.
I hope that made some sense. Great main event. I hope Rashad is okay and continues to do well.
Maybe 2009 is the year of the dragon, at least in the UFC.
I think
Silva and Dragon are a match makers nightmare; they are so good that i can’t think of anyone in either division that could be a good close fight for either.
the only 2 i can come up with need a lot more time to get to the level where they could handle a title shot.. maia and jones…
I just want to say that Jon Jones looks promising, but whats with everyone saying he is the answer? Shouldnt he have to do something, anything, before we start puting him up as the next great figher?
im not saying now; i8 mean if he continues to impress and improve
then in 12 months to 2 years time i could see him having the best chance to beat machida…
name one other person that given the time and likley improvement would beat him?
And to clarify, I’m not saying Shogun beats him, I’m just saying he has the best combo of tools/potential to give Machida problems. Remember he is still young and coming off basically 2 straight years of injuries, if he can get back to his old form he is trouble for anyone.
Absolutely, not saying he will win but his kicks, clinch game, and turtle rolls to leg locks give him enough variety that he poses more problems for Lyoto then most other LHW who are coming to mind right now.
by ronniebonnie on May 24, 2009 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, I would consider dismantling Stephan Bonnar for 15 minutes “something”, but you are right in that he is still very green and probably a minimum of 3-4 fights away from a title shot. Even then he would still only be, what, 24? The UFC knows the potential this guy has and how valuable he will be to them in the future, no way they rush him into a title shot anytime soon.
please read
I meant in his prime as a quarterback. I am making an analogy. Vick’s offfield crimes do not factor in. No need to be rude.
Dude take it easy GLAD
No one is trying to TRASH on him but when you grab your’e nuts in the ring and talk shit you not really showing the budo spirit. I think he got knocked out when he thought he was too bad. It looked like he was trying to talk shit when he was getting bombed on. It’s not racist to love seeing big mouths get shut up. Yoda Sleepy, take nap I will in ring thats spinning.
by son of miss the mark on May 24, 2009 1:47 AM EDT reply actions
Link?
Is there video of Machidas post fight interview anywhere? I was in a bar and the second he knocked Rashad out they started playing music.
It’s on right now, almost over – http://www.ufc.com/multicast/
by Chris Nelson on May 24, 2009 1:53 AM EDT up reply actions
To all those who disliked Rashads smack antics… I dont think you will be seeing it again.
Replay the ending of the fight you’ll see Rashad trying to start some “smack talk” and then getting killed.
I love Rashad – his antics dont mean anything about him… its sort of like a strategy. Unfortunately for him it didnt work tonight.
in all honesty
I’ve never found Machida that exciting so I was horrified at the thought of him being champion. These past two fights though (T.Silva, Evans) have made me warm up to the thought of Machida being champ and I actually find him somewhat fun to watch when he engages.
I don’t think ANYONE is going to take the belt from this fucker anytime soon, so its good to see that hes trying to become more aggressive.
Machida is aggressive
Check out some of his old fights. Him vs Sam Hoger and Sokoudjou spring to mind.
So true.
http://www.sackmikegoldberg.com
by Mike Fagan on May 24, 2009 2:05 AM EDT reply actions 12 recs
Rec'd--this must be green
A wise man told me don't argue with fools
Cause people from a distance can't tell who is who
Lyoto basically told Rashad to go home and get his fuckin’ shinebox.
by Chris Nelson on May 24, 2009 2:44 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Awesome...
but I wonder what the people who were horrified by the knockout have to say about you making light of the fight….I bet they are furious….
Funny shit!!!!
I don’t understand the hate on Rashad – he’s a good fighter who likes to have fun during the fight.
Did people bitch this much when Ali was having fun in the ring? Or Roy Jones, Jr.?
Even though Rashad lost I think he had a very impressive run and it’s not all that bad losing your first time to an excellent fighter like Machida.
Now Dana can bring back Tito
"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
For me, the difference is that RJJ and Ali were the best at their times, so if you back up the swagger, I guess it’s acceptable. Rashad is a damn good fighter, but squeaked by Tito and Bisping, so that always pissed me off. My $.02
BTW – you say on your profile you’re a ULL fan – are you from Acadiana?
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on May 24, 2009 2:14 AM EDT up reply actions
It would have helped had he defended 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 May 24, 2009 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions
Coleman, Rodriguez, Nogueira, Belfort, Couture, Griffin, Evans, Menne, Tanner, Newton, St. Pierre, Serra. All of these guys have at least one title reign in which they couldn’t defend the belt one single time. Please don’t tell me none of these guys can “back up the swagger”?
by Monday Morning Martial Artist on May 24, 2009 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Just a native from Louisiana (New Orleans, Metairie, and the Kenner areas)
"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
Do you still live here?
I’m born & raised in New Iberia, now living in Lafayette.
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on May 25, 2009 12:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Fight notes:
If this was boxing this fight would have never happened. Rampage would never fight Machida nor most of the other names in the division.
Rashad has an unbelievable chin… Very impressed with Machida being able to hurt him multiple times.
Machida will be favored against Rampage. And it’s highly probable that Machida will win.
question
outside of the Forrest fight when has Rashad’s chin been tested by a great striker? I think his head movement has been good and he’s avoided eating most flush shots up til Machida.
Chuck gave him a decent shot… didnt even phase him. But you are right its not proven like a “henderson” chin where he’s been hit buy wand and other big punchers.
also
tough to tell how much ko power Chuck had left at that point. In his fights before evans Wandy went the distance and I don’t think Jardine was ever in much trouble
My bad
Should have worded that better. Before last night, Forrest was able to get to Rashad as much as anyone in his career, and Forrest, while having god power, is not a one punch ko power kind of fighter. As Chuck’s deterioration point when he met Rashad is up in the air, I don’t know if Rashad’s chin has been tested by a great striker.
As mma logic pointed out, it has not passed a Hendo level quality of strikers.
Again, my error.
Penn at LW.
GSP at WW.
Silva at MW.
Machida at LHW.
We’re one man short of being in a situation where all the division titles are basically locked down. If Lesnar does to Mir what Machida just did to Evans, the HW division may well have found its owner too.
I did a little math a while back and at that point the average UFC title holder had had 0.67 succesful title defenses per reign. Looks like that number is going to become a lot higher in the near future…
I hope Florian beats Penn. I hope Spider retires. I hope the HW division stays competitive.
Otherwise I may have to start finding my MMA fix elsewhere.
by Monday Morning Martial Artist on May 24, 2009 2:14 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Well, I still don’t think Penn has fought the best of his division. I wasn’t surprised Edgar spanked Sherk and Sherk is Penn’s best LW win.
Ok, WW division sucks. GSP has turned a bit one dimensional but there isn’t a worthy fighter after UFC 100.
Silva is showing signs of slowing down.
Don’t forget about Fedor . . . oh wait.
I love Frankie Edgar, and he fought an awesome fight, but that fight was Sherk’s to lose and he did so.
A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.
Don't take credit away from frankie
Sherk knew that his “jab at air” strategy wasn’t working and he was losing the fight when he entered the 3rd round. He knew that he had to take Frankie down or he would lose. He took him down once and did nothing. Yea, his gameplan did suck ass, but I don’t think a wrestling strategy wouldav guaranteed a victory.
I may have to re watch that fight again, I remember the one take down where Sherk just put Edgar down like nothing, and the one where Edgar sprawled out before flashing the guillotine for style points. Frankie Edgar is probably my favorite lightweight out there, but coming into this I really didn’t think he had much of a shot to win if Sherk fought smart and went for the take down due to the significant size difference.
A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.
The first shot Sherk took was easily successful, but he couldn’t do shit with it and Edgar stood up quickly. Sherk tried at least two takedowns after that and got stuffed. That said, I still think Sherk could have won that fight if he’d gone to his wrestling earlier. Certainly he could have made it more competitive.
Agreed, and the only proof you need is to look at the Hughes-Serra fight, Hughes gets a couple takedowns and some LnP and he takes the decision in a fight that a lot of people thought Serra won.
Those people should re-watch the fight.
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 Jun 1, 2009 12:57 AM EDT up reply actions
People thought the same thing about Faber going into the Brown fight, Rampage going into the Forrest fight, etc., etc., ad infinitum.
"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 May 24, 2009 2:26 AM EDT up reply actions
Agreed
There will always be young blood to make things interesting.
Good point. Silva, GSP and Machida are locked down, and I think Lesnar will join the pantheon. I agree with mmalogic that Florian has a solid chance against Penn, who is damaging himself with his courtroom distractions.
A wise man told me don't argue with fools
Cause people from a distance can't tell who is who
Ya, every time someone wins a title they should retire so it can stay interesting. Who wants title defenses or really good fighters?
I want title defenses, I want really, really good fighters… I just do not want someone owning the title in perpetuity. Silva’s dominance has almost ruined MW. GSP is close to accomplishing that at WW.
by Monday Morning Martial Artist on May 24, 2009 8:28 AM EDT up reply actions
Silva’s dominance hasn’t ruined MW, the lack of credible challengers has. You don’t see that problem at LHW because there are a handful of great fighters, not just one.
Silva's being passive
has ruined MW. Going out not to lose and going out to win are two completely different things. If there was at least some action in the last two MW title fights, then it wouldn’t be so bad.
Don’t you think if there were more credible challengers than Patrick Cote and Thales Leites that Silva wouldn’t be so passive? If there were fighters that could actually challenge him instead of flopping on their ass trying to pull guard then Silva couldn’t fight like he has lately.
Ever since Chuck lost… the title has been exchanging hands almost every fight ( Rampage successfully defended once).
Machida has now brought balance to the force.
by mmalogic on May 24, 2009 2:24 AM EDT reply actions 3 recs
I’d like to see him fight page before I’d say that. On paper I think Machida has this no problem, but we know how that turns out sometimes…
Of course this is the fight that should happen next, but does anyone really want to see Machida vs. a one dimensional striker.
by ronniebonnie on May 24, 2009 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions
Not really
If Page acts like Sherk, then he will look like Sherk.
Come the fuck on, are you serious? Sherk has T-Rex arms and no power, Rampage might have the best power in the sport. One punch from Page could put Machida to sleep, one punch from Sherk might kill a fly that landed on your chin.
I wouldn’t be serious if Page was fighting somebody on Frankie’s level, but he’s not. Page can be one dimensional and beat almost all but Machida. Page isn’t gonna put together combinations nor is he gonna mix it up w/ kicks. He’s gonna pray that Machida makes a huge mistake and he’ll try to counter w/ a one punch KO. That’s not gonna happen. If he doesn’t at least try some takedowns/slams/GnP then Machida will break his legs ala Vera vs Patt. Page will never make it 3 rounds like Sherk was able to.
Well, I guess we’ll find out. Page will be the best striker Machida has faced since BJ, and BJ was able to land some shots on him. Page is obviously much bigger and stronger so if he is able to land anything he has a chance. I’m still picking Machida but I don’t think it’s as much of a sure thing as you seem to.
Rec’d for Star Wars referrence.
Kuwabara Kuwabara
by J. B. Maddox on May 24, 2009 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions
What a turn around.
It wasn’t long ago that Machida wasn’t well received, but ever since his last fight where he KO’d Silva and then this one… it was quite something to watch. The fans were chanting his name at one point during the second round. I think the Countdown show really had a lot to do with things, just in terms of trying to explain and define Machida. It’s clear he’s a star now.
I love me some Sexyama!
Also...
great speech at the end. It’s wonderful to see and hear someone so grateful for what they have achieved. His English is also getting better and better, which also helps in the marketing department. :)
I love me some Sexyama!
It is funny, but I think English with an accent is actually more marketable than English from someone who has been speaking it all their lives.
A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.
Was thinking GSP myself. But I have an irrational hatred of New York City accents for some reason. It might be genetic.
A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.
I was joking
I don’t think Sell actually speaks English.
I guess I don’t get why I’m supposed to be horrified by the Evans KO.
To me that was the most beautiful KO I’ve seen … ever maybe. Nothing else springs to mind. I guess what I’m supposed to find offensive is how Evans had his defenses ruthlessly peeled away and then got finished, instead of the typical lucky shot KO highlight reel footage.
Evans didn’t get dissected, he got vivisected, and that is what made it beautiful and terrible at the same time.
The only way someone beats
Machida, has nothing to do with knock out power. It is going to a take some with the tactical skills to get inside on Machida, and get him on the ground. He was the aggressor the entire evening tonight. I don’t recall a single point where he was on the defense. Machida’s Karate and Sumo background, and growing up in Brazil with BJJ, sheer knockout power is not the answer. It is going to take someone exceptionally fast with impeccable Judo and BJJ to get the W. The Judo to counter the Karate and Sumo stand-up, and then the BJJ to dominate from guard. As he said himself in the post fight interview, he saw the UFC for the first time at 15, and decided he needed to learn Jiu itsu. And with that said Machida will lose EVENTUALLY, but not anytime soon, and it won’t be from strikes. He is someone who must be submitted…
What's so amazing,
Is that Machida dominated w/o waiting for shad to make a mistake and countering. He went out and got him! In my opinion that’s a big difference b/w him and Spiderman.
I love Judo, but it’s not going to nullify Machida’s striking.
From CageFighter.
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on May 24, 2009 3:29 AM EDT reply actions
It really looked like right before the final punch that finished him up, Rashad yells “ow”.
"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 May 24, 2009 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions
Shame to see Rashad get dominated in part to Machida’s stature over him.
Just like GSP whupped BJ with his 15+ lb weight advantage, Rashad being undersized finally caught up to him. He couldn’t reach Machida even though Machida could reach him.
Not after that last punch!
A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.
by iiowyn on May 24, 2009 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
You're a moron.
Machida’s isn’t a HUGE lightheavyweight either. Stop making stupid excuses like baby J
It’s not an excuse, I’m just saying that Rashad wasn’t able to deal with Lyoto’s ability to hit him from further range with kicks. I was not commenting on weight, just that there was a natural advantage (leg length) which couldn’t be overcome/wasn’t prepared for properly.
“Rashad being undersized finally caught up to him.”
Sure sounds like an excuse, bro.
Tito and Griffin are just about the biggest 205ers out there and Evans hung with and KOed them.
by Applejack McNeil on May 24, 2009 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions
I guess you can call it whatever you want. Excuse, or reality. It’s a difficult position to face and a reason why many guys have to make the move down.
I didn’t mean to make it an issue about weight, it’s more about wingspan and kicking reach – that specifically was a huge problem for Rashad and he couldn’t find a way to minimize it.
When someone asked Thiago Alves whether he wanted to fight at MW or not, he said he didn’t and it wasn’t because the guys were too strong. It was because he felt he’d be at a big disadvantage vs. taller and longer fighters.
You’re talking as if Evans is a natural welterweight or something.
He’s a standard sized fighter at 205. Some will be smaller (Wandy) and some will be bigger (Griffin).
You really hit the nail on the head when you said Evans couldn’t figure out a way to get inside. THAT was the issue, not his supposed smaller stature.
by Applejack McNeil on May 24, 2009 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Getting inside was Rashad’s issue, no ifs and buts about it.
But fighting longer fighters does make getting inside that much more difficult as it increases the distance he needs to close.
It would be less of an issue at MW where the guys are on average an inch or two shorter. But Rashad should continue to compete at LHW, as he’s still in some very select company. And it’s not as though the MW champ is any easier of a challenge than the LHW champ.
no namecalling
"the spirit of your average dumbass with more overblown rhetoric" OR "the self-appointed savior of MMA"
Remember when Rashad was a heavyweight? Well I do.
by Dropkick434 on May 24, 2009 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions
So how did Rashad beat Forrest? Forrest might be the biggest fighter in the entire division (I believe he walks around at 230).
Just because he has beaten Forrest it doesn’t mean he isn’t inherently disadvantaged vs. taller fighters. I don’t know why Rashad in particular would be any different than all other fighters.
Sorry for being misleading, I am actually referring to reach (especially legs).
give more excuses please
rashaad got completely outclassed. give us more excuses, im having too much fun! he lost cause hes short, underweight, machida cheated, we are all racist cause we enjoyed the knockout, oh i forgot that we were all racist before anyway. i cant wait to hear how racist we will all be when machida blows up rampage(or if he loses then we will hear about how the white guy wasnt for real…but that wont be racist cause it will be a black person sayin it, and that cant be racist). rashaads game plan was the same as it always is…lay back catch the opponents timing then counter. machida wasnt playin that game…he was too fast, too accurate and too smart. did rashaad land a single effective blow…ill watch again closely, but i doubt ill find anything positve for rashaad. machida is the real deal, rashaad had a good run no doubt….but its over, and it looked like it will hurt for a good long time :).
Did anyone say a damn thing about Machida cheating?
I was rooting for Evans and it does make me sad to see Machida dismantled him with such frightening ease. Believe me, I’d be all over the place screaming foul play had there been some – but there wasn’t.
by Monday Morning Martial Artist on May 24, 2009 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions
just waitin
just waitin for the rest of the bullshit is all lol. you know that when the white guy wins all kinds of bullshit gets spewed from the left. btw….you =left :)
enjoyin the disturbance
how was that knockout anymore disturbing than roy jones jr bein completely locked up in the ring…when the guy is laying there with his entire body stiff as a board and twitchin. i only compare it to roy because roy was never the same after that happened(which is typical). you could say the same about liddel. always had a good chin till rampage knocked him out…now it seema anybody can ring his bell. its kinda like drinkin all night long and never takin a piss, after you break the seal…youll be pissin every couple minutes. i thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of that knockout. and the fact that we know rashaad will probably never be himself again only makes it sweeter. you can kiss my balls if that offends you
HOT HUMBLE PIE
Oh, wow! Took Rashard to school in that fight, Machida did! Didja hear the post fight interview? Evans talking like he had three huge servings of steaming hot humble pie! Heheheheh! Only wish he’d stay that way from now on…….
GOODFELLAS REDUX
Ohmylord! Mike Fagan’s GoodFellas was absolutelyfuc*intastic! A real gutbuster, Ohohohohohohoho!!! Thanks a lot, man!
But where’s the blood? Have to SEE BLOOD to enjoy a KNOCKOUT!!!
They won’t fight each other – the reason Spider won’t make a run for 205 is because he doesn’t want to fight Machida.
by Monday Morning Martial Artist on May 24, 2009 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions
It will be interesting if he beats the #2-4 ranked LHW and former titleholder as people will want him to keep facing stiffer tests. It’s not as though there are compelling matchups at MW yet, and we all know how much he wants the big fights.
So Spiderman is gonna soften up all the LHW competition b/f Machida finishes them off? I’m not sure how I feel about that sort of tag team action. There’s no reason for him to fight #1 contenders at LHW if he doesn’t want to fight for the title.
The reason he’s fighting top guys at LHW is because the rest of his division sucks. And it’s really a win-win for the UFC, if Silva wins it re-energizes the fans to want to see him fight more after his last two outings. If Griffin wins it automatically puts the UFC’s most popular fighter back in the title hunt.
Well, at least I can feel vindicated.
I was one of the people who has been referring to Machida as the LHW champ for the last few months, just taking this fight as a done deal. Yes Machida is awesome, but the bottom line is that Rashad was never champion material. This was like a rookie QB starting against the AFC All-Pro team. I think that Rampage will prove a much, much more worthy opponent.
by P4P is a stupid concept on May 26, 2009 9:28 AM EDT reply actions
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