Lyoto Machida: Karate principles beat Evans and Griffin

by klown on Aug 18, 2009 12:53 AM EDT Comment 16 comments

Fighters Only Magazine provides a translation of Machida's first interview (given to a local newspaper) since he began training for Rua. After the jump, Machida comments on how jiu-jitsu facilitates his striking style, principles of karate, and they key to Anderson Silva's destruction of Forrest Griffin.

On the importance of jiu-jitsu in complementing Machida's karate:

“I watched Ultimate Fighting for the first time when I was 15 and wanted to do [jiu jitsu]. I saw jiu jitsu as an effective and necessary weapon to MMA. So for using my karate calmly I had to learn jiu jitsu. If the fight goes to the mat, I’m ready to get away from submissions attempts to fight my fight standing. I see jiu jitsu as a second option for me."

On two karate principles that define Machida's fighting style:

Lyoto works very well on his feet using a technique called De-Ai (counter-attacking his opponents using kicks after anticipating their strikes) and karate fighters have a great idea of distance in the combat.

“We train the distance point in karate so much and it is essential into the fight because you can have a ton of power in your blow but it’s useless if you don’t land it on your adversary,” the champion explained.

The karate artist also puts Tai-Sabaki ("get into the range of the opponent, attack then leave") in practice during the fights, a technique also used in judo. The knowledge gives him the ability to hit the opponent unexpectedly.

Machida even credits these karate principles for the victory of his teammage Anderson Silva in his last bout, against Forrest Griffin and compares the win to his own, against Rashad Evans:

“It was what happened to Rashad Evans at UFC 98 when I caught the belt from him. Karate is based on timing and distance. You could see Anderson versus Forrest Griffin at UFC 101. Silva didn’t strike hard, he struck all the time. That’s the reason Griffin fell down.”

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Good post. recd

by nitro on Aug 18, 2009 1:38 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

ditto.

"The path to enlightenment is through suffering"

by RearNakedChoker on Aug 18, 2009 4:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Neat Read

Machida is such a down-to-earth guy; how can anyone not like him?

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by themachiavellian on Aug 18, 2009 1:52 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for the post.

Machida and Silva’s success is going to spark another evolution in striking for MMA. They’re really raising the bar in terms of timing, speed and accuracy. And yeah, on a personal level, Machida seems too good to be true. Complete dedication both spiritually and physically.

by Kwisatz Haderach on Aug 18, 2009 2:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Machida doesn't try to be the best "fighter," he tries to be the best "martial artists"

And it really shows in the body of his work. He isn’t trying to get that spectacular knockout or submission, he’s trying to damage his opponent while taking the least amount of damage on himself.

by chrisbboy82 on Aug 18, 2009 3:01 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I enjoyed the Karate terms

But with the “De-Ai” concept, I actually think that Machida is better at countering with punches, whereas he uses his kicks to engage his opponent. In the Tito fight, he repeatedly uses the lead leg kick when Ortiz is being complacent, and in the Rashad fight, he uses very fast high kicks a few times.

But he really doesn’t counter like most guys; most guys sit in the pocket when trying to counter, but Machida engages his enemy when they’re in an awkward position, or after he’s feinted and forced a reaction. And that’s why he’s been so successful so far

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by ElliotMatheny on Aug 18, 2009 4:02 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Machida engages his enemy when they’re in an awkward position, or after he’s feinted and forced a reaction. And that’s why he’s been so successful so far

Very very true.

"Japan is half-Machida" - iiowyn

by Day Man on Aug 18, 2009 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

it seems to me that-

Kick boxing defence = minimising damage taken

Machida defence = preparation for an attack

Kick boxers tend to attack or defend while Machida/Silva are always looking and trying to set up an attack. when Machida/Silva initiate the attack they look to score points and force an attack from their opponent. when they counter they look to finish the fight. this tactic combined with their excellent distance and timing allows them to control the standup, like a good wrestler or BBJ guy can control the ground game to score point do damage while not taking any.

by Cut-Paste on Aug 18, 2009 5:07 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Also of note

When he fought Michael McDonald (former K-1 competitor), he took him down and choked him out—granted it was a very iffy forearm-across-the-neck choke as McDonald didn’t have a particularly strong idea of what to do from his back. Nevertheless, it illustrates several neat points: Machida has a multi-faceted game (in his of his earlier fights he was far more orthodox in his attack than he is now) and he is aware of when to utilize particular elements of his game.

It ends in an armbar or a strangle regardless.

by capital L on Aug 18, 2009 7:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Machida attacks his opponents where they are weakest. He takes the concept of “kyo” and applies it to his entire game, not just his karate.

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

by iiowyn on Aug 18, 2009 7:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Team Blackhouse ftw

'He built his whole reputation as a waffle house chef. They’ve been serving him up ham and eggs with a side of canned tomatoes' - Don Frye on Fedor Emelianenko

by Well Read Idiot on Aug 18, 2009 8:40 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Seriously

"Japan is half-Machida" - iiowyn

by Day Man on Aug 18, 2009 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It’s innate and instinctive, as well as very well practised and intelligent fighting. These two have taken Chuck Liddell’s raw counterattack and totally evolved it. Good stuff Mr. Miyagi.

by Skoobs on Aug 18, 2009 9:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Machida and Silva > Most MMA Strikers

Like Silva said, they’re really far ahead of the game when it comes to striking. I’m not talking about quick flash KO victories in a matter of seconds, they’re analyzing their opponents, setting them up, taking full advantage of mistakes and executing their attack.

Their recent fights were more or less flawless performances. Rashad probably hit Machida twice and Griffin blows didn’t seem to have any affect on Silva at all.

Just think, just yesterday fans were complaining about how boring Machida was and how he runs, many fighters has expressed their frustrations concerning Machida’s style. He added just a bit more power and aggression against Thiago Silva and now he’s an unbeatable commodity.
And some fans blamed Silva for Cote and Leites performances.

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by VeeisAnimated on Aug 19, 2009 9:52 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Machida is like the Bill Belicheck of MMA

"I call this here Clark Kent. Just sniff this, right here. It’s good, huh?! You smoke this s**t and you just wanna rip your clothes off in a phone booth and fight crime"

by TheKCB on Aug 19, 2009 11:57 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hear that? BJJ is 2nd option. That's a breath of fresh air.

And Machida is evidence that karate is and always will be superior to muay thai, boxing and all that other simplistic neanderthal striking that people attempt to use. As much as I hate to join in the BE-Anderson Silva love-fest, Machida hit the nail on the head- a lot of Silva’s sucess is based in the central principle of karate- managing distance.

by P4P is a stupid concept on Aug 19, 2009 12:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs