""I think Machida is getting a lot of hype, and I know he has lots of big wins over a lot of big...

""I think Machida is getting a lot of hype, and I know he has lots of big wins over a lot of big fighters, and a lot of experience over me. I honestly believe that a great Muay Thai champion will beat a great karate fighter any day; it's been proven on lots of occasions. If Machida has (the belt) by the time I get to that level, I'll be ready for him. ... I want to be that greater Muay Thai fighter to beat a great karate champion."
Jon Jones talking to Sergio Non.

4 months ago Kid Nate 18 comments 0 recs |

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It’s interesting how many people become enveloped in the promotional work the UFC has done branding Machida as a karate fighter and become blind to all of his other training.

by Simco on Jun 25, 2009 8:32 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

yeah I'd say he's as good a muay Thai guy as Jones right now

or actually a much better one

Follow me on Twitter @KidNate

by Kid Nate on Jun 25, 2009 8:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

much much better one IMO..

weoweoweo .deviantart .com

by Anton Tabuena on Jun 25, 2009 9:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jon Jones

would be the guy to start grooming to take Manchida down. He is young, long and athletic. The kid is still learning and could be trained to be a great stylistic match up for Lyoto. Teach Jones how to work distance well and not telegraph punches (or do the ’shad crow hop) and he could do well.

Styles make fights.

by ryanwk628 on Jun 25, 2009 9:02 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

^This

I like watching this guy fight. His Domination of Stephen Bonnar was a fight for the ages. That was an awesome fight!

by JAYGK95 on Jun 25, 2009 9:11 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The throws

is where Jones could win the fight. Lyoto is so hard to take down because he does the one footed crow hop BJ Penn take down defense instead of just sprawling. Thats why he dosent have to square up in fights (and can fight a more traditional stance increasing his range). Jones knows so many good take downs that the 85% take down defense would drop after the fight. Then Jones could just lay on top (Manchida does not look like a guy who can move a wrestler with good position around) and win the fight.

by ryanwk628 on Jun 25, 2009 9:14 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I was thinking of writing something similar.

Jones is a Greco-Roman guy, right?

I prefer the angle of Jones’ Greco v Machida’s Sumo as a style contrast.

by Razreshat on Jun 25, 2009 9:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i was just rewatching the machida/sokoujou fight and had forgotten how much trouble Sokoujou’s judo trips gave Machida in the first round. Machida has gotten much better at backing away from aggressive strikers, but I can’t think of seeing his clinch game much since that fight.

I don’t think Jones’ grecro is nearly the level of Sokoujou’s judo though.

by Stanlee on Jun 25, 2009 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m going to do a write-up of my interview with Jones today because he said the exact same thing on MMA Nation.

by Luke Thomas on Jun 25, 2009 9:24 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Easier to cut and paste from Non then to transcribe from you.

by szucconi on Jun 25, 2009 9:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

WAR BONES!

Kuwabara Kuwabara

by J. B. Maddox on Jun 25, 2009 10:22 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

A fight between a “complete” Jon Jones vs. a prime Lyoto Machida is my dream fight right now.

"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 Jun 25, 2009 11:48 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

^ that.

by CliChe Guevara on Jun 25, 2009 11:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He also talks about his approach to Greco-Roman vs Lindland, Couture, Hendo. His is more of using the clinch to throw his opponents and set up strikes. While others are more of using the clinch to hold guys against the cage and maintain good positioning.

by The Bronzeville Bully on Jun 25, 2009 12:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs